
In this course participants will learn to play the frame drum Tof Miryam. It’s a frame drum that is very ancient, and belongs to Jewish and Israeli culture. Together we will develop vocal skills and sing while drumming within an ensemble.
The course topics are:
- The history of the Tof Miryam
- The evolution of rhythm and its cultural significance
- Basic frame drum techniques
- The language of drumming and beat interpretation
- Rhythms of the Mediterranean and the Balkans
- Developing vocal skills
- Learning traditional songs from Israel, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans
- Synchronizing rhythm and voice
- The dynamics of drumming in an ensemble
- Performing within an ensemble and in front of an audience
Course structure
The methods used in the course sessions are teacher lead lectures/introductions and explanations. A large part of the sessions consist of exercise and repetition.
Prior knowledge
The course is given in English.
No prior knowledge about the subject is needed.
Course material
All course material is not included in the cost for this course. Participants organise the frame drum on their own.
About the teacher
Yinon Muallem is a composer and multi-instrumentalist of Iraqi-Jewish origin, specializing in Ethnic Mediterranean and world music. His work fuses traditional sounds with jazz, classical, and contemporary styles. To date, he has released 12 albums.
Yinon plays the Oud (Arabic lute) and various string instruments, as well as a range of hand percussion instruments from different musical traditions, including Darbuka, frame drums, Spanish Cajón, bongos, and more. Over the years, he has led and participated in numerous intercultural music projects, fostering creative collaboration between musicians from diverse backgrounds. He has given masterclasses and workshops at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music, Stockholm (2023) and Sibelius Academy, Helsinki (2022).
Photo: Anselm Feuerbach, Wikimedia
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Course information
Times
Mondays 17:00-19:00 CET
Course start
Monday 8 September
12 sessions
Teacher
Yinon Muallem
Application deadline
Sunday 22 June