ACEarts Arabic Rhythm and Music Program

Course

Curriculum

If you are in love with Arabic grooves and sounds, stop scrolling.  You have reached your destination.

Welcome to ACEarts Arabic Rhythm and Music (AARM), member-based online training program in Arabic percussion, melody and music theory. Join a community of like-minded musicians that meet year-round to train, explore and perform this rich and influential artform.


Darbuka

Beginner Class- Percussion

Learn the basics about one the most popular hand drums in the world, the darbuka, including common strokes, popular rhythms and play along songs!

Intermediate/Advanced Class- Percussion

Unlock the magic sounds on the darbuka, including popular trills and fills, solo concepts, and exciting embellishments on popular rhythms.  Sound like a pro, whether you want to play solos for dancers or parties, or classical pieces with a Middle Eastern music ensemble.


Riqq

Beginner Class- Percussion

Learn the basics about the riqq, one of the most fascinating tambourines in the world, including grip and posture, common strokes on closed and open position, and popular rhythms.

Intermediate/Advanced Class- Percussion

Explore the musicality and nuance of the riqq with popular classical zil fills, rolls on closed position, and shakes and trills in open position.  Play along with popular songs and unlock the mysteries of riqq legend, Michel Merhej Baklouk.


Daf

Beginner Class- Percussion

Explore the magical world of the daf or frame drum, one of the oldest instruments in the world. Learn basic strokes, sounds and Middle Eastern rhythms.  Experience the frame drum as a tool of music, meditation and trance.

Intermediate/Advanced Class- Percussion

Dive deeper into the world of the daf or frame drum, combining techniques of Indian, Middle Eastern, North African and Uzbek drumming styles.  Explore different lap and standing positions, fills, tricks and polyrhythms.


Ensemble Class

In-Person Concert Rehearsal

Students gather monthly to perform coursework as an ensemble, and to practice concert repertoire.


Maqam

All Levels Class - Theory - Melodic instruments & voice

In this class, we will explore the beautiful Arabic system of scales, or maqamaat. We will review each of the 10 most popular maqamaat through ear training (singing).  Students will receive fun exercises to follow during class.


Muwashah

All Levels Class - Performance - All instruments & voice

In this class, we dive into the rich world of Arab-Andalusian music dating back over 1000 years to southern Spain, once a hub for Arab tradition, music and language.  Muwashah specifically relates to music written to poetry.  This interesting direction of composition resulted in fantastic rhythmic meters.  Some of these rhythms became so popular that they formed a music genre of their own, inspiring composers to write music specifically to these amazing rhythmic meters.  We will go over these most quintessential muwashah rhythms.  Riqq, darbuka and daf players are welcome.


Arabic violin

Beginner Class- Melodic Instrument: Strings

We will explore the magical art of Arabic music upon the standard violin.  Topics include Arabic tuning, bowing concepts, common Arabic ornamentation, the 5 most popular maqamaat (Arabic modes), and intro to song analysis.  Prior experience with violin is recommended but not necessary.


Oud

Beginner Class- Melodic Instrument: Oud

We will explore the wonderful world of the oud, or Arabic lute.  Topics include tuning, right hand plucking, left hand expressions, the 5 most popular maqamaat (Arabic modes), and intro to song analysis. Students will also gain a necessary foundation of reading and interpreting sheet music.  

Intermediate Class- Melodic Instrument: Oud

In this course, we will begin to explore the wide world of ornamentation in the context of song analysis.  Ornamentation is the ‘dressing’ of notes which give the oud its distinct sound.  We will touch upon some of the most popular uses of ornamentation, such as tremolo, slides and turns.  Students will come away fully learning several popular Arabic pieces which they can perform with ensembles or with friends/family, and will become better readers of sheet music.


Taqasim

Intermediate/Advanced Class- Theory: Melodic instruments & voice

In this class, students will be introduced to the basics of taqasim, or the art of Arabic improvisation.  We will explore modulation, or the precise movements between maqamaat which give distinct flavor to the art of Arabic taqasim.    Lastly, we will study the various expressions, analyzing popular phrasing, sequences, and qaflat or ‘endings.’


September 2024

  • 1x darbuka

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Maqam class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #1

October 2024

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Maqam class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #2

November 2024

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Maqam class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #3

December 2024

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Maqam class

  • 1x WINCONCERT

January 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Muwashahat class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #1

February 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Taqasim class

  • WINTER RETREAT (No Ensemble)

  1. All classes are 1 hour, with the exception of Ensemble, which is 11-4pm on 1x Sunday per month.

  2. Classes will be available on Zoom and will be recorded and shared with all students.

  3. Level of classes will be determined based on level of overall student level. Classes may be added for differing levels as needed.

  4. Ensemble classes / rehearsals will be hybrid: in-person and online. Concert repertoire is prepared and rehearsed in Ensemble class. Students must attend at least half of all Ensemble classes in order to perform in each concert.

  5. Concerts occur twice per year, at the end of fall and end of spring. Additional concerts may be added.

  6. Times and dates of each class are determined with members in August 2024, to best suite everyone’s schedules.

  7. Retreats are an add-on. Members may register for retreats at special discounted member rates.

Monthly Schedule

March 2025

  • 1x darbuka

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Muwashahat class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #2

April 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Taqasim class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #3

May 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Muwashahat class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #4

June 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Taqasim class

  • 1x CONCERT

July 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Muwashahat class

  • 1x ENSEMBLE / Rehearsal #1

August 2025

  • 1x darbuka class

  • 1x riqq class

  • 1x daf class

  • 1x oud class

  • 1x violin class

  • 1x Taqasim class

  • SUMMER RETREAT (No Ensemble)