I love it when, after a show, someone from the audience comes up to me and says “you look so relaxed - even when your’e playing something so fast and difficult you make it look like the easiest thing in the world”. To me this is one of the best compliments I can get.
The ease, relaxation and fun I exude when I perform is a result of over 20 years of experimenting and training myself how to relax my body and my mind using observation, physical exercise, visualizations, meditation and yoga postures.
In this course I explain this process and give you concrete exercises that will help you be relaxed and focused, eliminating the ego and becoming a channel for beautiful music to flow through you to uplift and heal your listeners.
Your Instructor
Hi, I'm Raquy and welcome to my Darbuka School!
Playing the darbuka is the love of my life.
Since I discovered this drum over 20 years ago, I've devoted myself to it in every aspect - practicing, performing, teaching, composing, even decorating my own drums! I have experience playing in traditional Middle Eastern ensembles, accompanying belly dance and my current projects features the darbuka as a shining solo instrument fit for a concert hall.
In the beginning of my darbuka journey I played traditional Arabic style. Then 10 years ago I saw what was happening in Turkey with this new "split hand" technique. I made my first pilgrimage to Istanbul to learn from the masters. I ended up moving to this magical city and opening the Darbuka Ofis in downtown Istanbul where you can still find me training daily with my Hocam, Bunyamin Olguncan and other Turkish drumming masters.
I'm passionate about teaching darbuka. I have devoted students all over the world who are now performing and teaching themselves. I have traveled far and wide, spreading joy and excitement for darbuka. I have developed an innovative teaching system, using an easily understood notation key which many darbuka players these days are using.
I'm thrilled to be able to present my teachings in this elegant platform. I love the fact that this is a living school that I can constantly update with the latest stuff.
May the darbuka bring you joy, inspiration and magical experiences as it has for me!