Learn to play as part of an ensemble including traditional Persian instruments (led by Cieavash Arean), voice (led by Omid Rahimi) and percussion (led by Arash Zanganeh). Session 1 will be for instrumentalists only, sessions 2 and 3 will combine with Arash’s daf class and Omid’s singing class.

The ensemble will be presenting pieces in the Sunday night concert as part of the Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor (The Doll of Stone Patience) Persian Dramatic Narrative Performance.

Be part of a Turkish ensemble. Musical notation will be provided, or participants can play by ear. This group will be working towards a performance in the Camp Concert. Suited for all instruments and skill levels and percussionists are welcome and needed too!

Be part of an Arabic music ensemble. Musical notation will be provided, or participants can play by ear. This group will be working towards a performance in the Camp Concert. Suited for all instruments and skill levels and percussionists are welcome and needed too!

This class will focus on the approaches to playing the beats in their different elements; the basic beat, the rounded beat, and the embellished beat.

Placement of embellishments during the music and how to know when and where to use them.
Exercising beat changes in order to have clean transitions, and demonstrating the value of memorizing rhythmic phrases, in order to enable easier improvising, if you’re still not familiar enough with the way this drumming tradition goes.
The elements that create an anchored drumming, that reflects the music and grounds it in order to get the desired feel in the music.
The importance of understanding the three divisions of the beat; straight, odd and combined. This will include working on 7/8 beats. 9/8, 4/4 6/8.
An overview of the different ways these drums can be played in the Arabic music repertoire, classical, semi classical, urban, folk and dancing of all kinds.

Faisal will be teaching technique for Riq for players who already have a good grasp of the instrument. He will look at open (cabaret) position and closed (classical) position, and how to move between the two. He will also be exploring typical ornamentation ideas for the Riq and how to create dynamics in the music using the Riq.

This class will focus on the structure of the Arabic percussion ensemble (section), discussing the relationship between the instruments and the sounds. We will experiment with few different aspects of the percussion ensemble, such as, unified sound of the down beat (DUM) and the precision of the placement of the TEK and KA sounds. We will use a few different rhythms to demonstrate the process of playing together and creating unified sounds and creating the desired sound effect that keeps the music afloat!

Suitable for derbekki, duholla, riq, frame drum and sagat (finger cymbals). This will be a very useful workshop for people who wish to lead, or participate in, Arabic group drumming, and players who work with other percussionists in musical ensembles.

This class will focus on understanding the origins of the Muwashahat rhythms and their use in the Arabic classical singing repertoire, as well as in Arabic music in general. We will examine a few of these rhythms and we will break them down to their basic elements. We will talk about counting and reciting such rhythms and finding different ways to understanding them. we will be demonstrating these rhythms using the different Arabic percussion instruments,(Derbakki, Riqq, Duhulla and frame drum).

This open class incorporates stepping whilst playing various patterns-these patterns are made up of four different rhythms that create the incredibly mesmerising sounds of the frame drum ensemble.

This workshop will delve into advanced techniques, rhythms and stepping patterns to challenge even the most advanced players. A true workout for the fingers!

This Turkish daholla/darbuka style class is open to all abilities and will focus on the Turkish split finger techniques similar to the Misirli Ahmet method as well as other modern Turkish styles. Drills, rhythms, and embellishments are all on the menu!

Learn complex techniques, fast rolls and beautiful ornamentations. This masterclass will also focus on self expression as a daholla/darbuka player. Not to be missed!

An introduction to the fundamentals of playing the Darbuka/Arabic Tabla, including common rhythms used for belly dancers. There will be a focus on the rhythms themselves and tuition on the basics to get you feeling like you’re producing a musical sound with these wonderful and flexible percussion instruments.

This workshop will be to prepare percussionists to play in a wedding celebration with a host of other musicians who may want to join in. Percussion is at the heart of weddings in Arabic countries and the ‘l’aruss’ or ‘el zaffa’ rhythm together with saiidi and dabke rhythms being often played in the same way as ‘Here Comes The Bride’ is played in the west. It’s often accompanied by much ululating and joyful exclamation. Play it simply or in a more complex way and have a ball being part of a great big celebration. Participants in these workshops will be preparing for a real Zaffa on Saturday evening!
All percussion instruments and skill levels are welcome!

The Daf is a large frame drum used in Persian and Sufi music. Learn techniques specific to this drum – different to other frame drums due to the many rings inside the drum which form part of the sound of the instrument. No experience is necessary for this workshop. There might be some spare Dafs to borrow at the camp and Arash will have some for sale too.

Beginners will also be welcome to attend the 2 x Persian/Kurdish Percussion Group workshops, which will be working on music for the Folk Dance being performed as part of Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor on Sunday night.

The Daf is a large frame drum used in Persian and Sufi music. Learn advanced techniques specific to this drum – different to other frame drums due to the many rings inside the drum which form part of the sound of the instrument.

Students will also be welcome to attend the 2 x Persian/Kurdish Percussion Group workshops, which will be working on music for the Folk Dance being performed as part of Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor on Sunday night. Students are also welcome to attend the 2nd and 3rd Persian Ensemble workshops, which will be working on instrumental peices and songs for the Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor presentation.

All beginner to advanced Persian daf players are welcome to attend these sessions, which will be working on music for the Folk Dance being performed as part of Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor on Sunday night. You will learn a percussion piece, featuring Kurdish rhythms, to accompany the Kurdish dance being taught by Michelle Ridsdale, and have the opportunity to play for dancers and be part of the Sunday presentation.

Students are also welcome to attend the 2nd and 3rd Persian Ensemble workshops, which will be working on instrumental pieces and songs for the Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor presentation.

The Riq is a wonderful instrument that adds colour and excitement to both small ensembles and big orchestras, in Arabic music. This delightful percussion instrument has many sounds and qualities, creating a huge range of possibilities for a skilled Riq player. This introductory workshop will cover techniques, Egyptian rhythms and variations.

For already experienced strings players who wish to learn the Middle Eastern style of ornamentation and technique. Suitable for violin, cello, bass, viola, kamenche and joze.

Nawres will be teaching musicianship and improvisation in Arabic music, covering ornamentation, modulation, intonation and phrasing for all instruments. Maqamat (Arabic scales/modes) will be covered in these sessions too.

Kelly will teach you some technique and Maqamat (scales) and some easy tunes. PVC practice Neys will be available at the workshops – price to be confirmed.

You want to begin to compose some music, but don’t know where to start? You’ve got a tune you want to arrange but don’t know the first steps?
OR
You want to add some chords to a tune, but everything you try sounds naff? Bring your problems along and let’s see what we can do! I’ve got decades of experience dealing with these issues. I may not have all the answers, but hopefully I’ve got at least some, and can help you think about things in a different way… Suitable for bass-line players, chord players, melody players and singers.

Learn about the Ghoshmeh a Persian folk instrument from the North East of Iran. Cieavash will teach about the cultural context of the instrument and how it is played and also teach a few folk tunes.

Ghoshmeh will be for sale at the camp.

There is nothing quite like the thrill of putting a wind instrument to your lips and just ‘letting it happen’ without the structure of an established melody. Improvisation on winds, especially those driven by reeds such as clarinets and saxophones is a fabulous way to express your creativity as an aspiring or established musician. Improvisation is also at the basis of many compositions. One of my bands The Bridge Project has based 3 CD’s and it’s live concerts on the strength of improvisation in composition. Come along and get some easy pointers to help you become more acquainted with improvisation that’s both accessible and exotically exciting. Come and learn the art of improvisation and its place as a critical and beautiful part of instrumental performance.

BYO instruments. Discussion and practice of instruments, reeds and techniques. May involve walking long distances from other humans.

Mike will teach oud technique, ornamentation and maqams (scales). Students will also learn one or two tunes and some taqsim technique. The workshops will be adjusted to suit the skill level of the participants. As there are usually only a small number of oud students, Mike will be able to give participants individual assistance during the workshops.

Learn the basics for playing the Persian Kamanche (spike fiddle) and Tar (long necked, waisted stringed instrument), including an introduction to some of the Persian scales. More advanced technique will also be taught depending on the skill level of the students.

Learn the basics for playing the Persian Ney, including an introduction to some of the Persian scales. More advanced technique will also be taught depending on the skill level of the students.

Persian neys will be for sale at the camp.

Omid will be teaching some of the traditional Persian songs and vocal technique. The singing group will also combine with the Persian musical ensemble and will prepare pieces for the performance of Arosak-e Sang-e Saboor on the Sunday night.

Phil will be teaching some of the traditional Turkish songs to combine with the Turkish Ensemble.