Contemporary Riq

Brief Course Description.
Contemporary Riq is a comprehensive online course on the Riq (Middle Eastern tambourine) taught by world-renowned performer and teacher Yousif Sheronick.  The course covers both Cabaret and Soft Position playing with 65 video lessons along with PDF worksheets which contain all of the exercises and grooves from the course.  This course takes you beyond the standard “Dum and Tek” and guides you through Advanced Techniques, shows you how to use them in Grooves, and gets you started on Soloing ideas.    

Is this course right for me?
Absolutely!  This course is designed for ALL players.  It is a step-by-step process that starts with the basics of how to hold the instrument and play basic tones, then systematically guides you through advanced techniques seen by today’s top players.  Beginners as well as players with years of experience will improve their playing using Yousif’s unique and proven teaching method.  He consistently addresses all levels of players whether he is working through tone production, strength building, playing "melodically", or odd time signatures.    

What material can I view and when?
Upon enrollment you have instant access to ALL 6 hours of videos and PDFs.  You can watch whatever you like, whenever you like.  Keep to Yousif's step-by-step curriculum or jump around the course videos as you wish.  

How does the monthly payment plan work?
With the monthly plan you are paying for one month (30 or 31 days) of access to the entire course.  The month starts whenever you enroll.  For instance, if you enroll on April 15^th you will have access through May 14^th. You are free to watch all the videos and download the PDF worksheets anytime during that month.  The subscription renews after one month unless you cancel.  Once you cancel you can still view the videos until that current month of access has ended.  The downloaded PDF worksheets you can keep forever.  

Why take THIS course?  
Excellent question!  Yousif’s master plan is to make you a well-rounded musician.  You won’t simply be given a series of strokes that make up a groove.  You will learn to play musically, to be able to pull “melodies” out of those grooves, to have solid internal rhythm and a greater ability to play in odd time signatures.  Yousif moves your thought process away from the analytical side of the brain and to the creative, stripping away numbers (math!) and replacing them with South Indian vocal cycles.  You will learn base patterns first before filling up those grooves with embellishments.  This will bring out the melodies in those grooves and transform you from a drummer into a musician!  

How are the sessions organized?
The first section is centered on Cabaret Position (playing both on cymbals and drum head), the second is devoted to Soft Position (playing mainly on the drum head). Those sections start from the basics of holding the drum and playing basic strokes, then move to Advanced Techniques such as Split Hand Technique, Glen Velez Fast Fingerings, and various shaking patterns.  You will also learn several grooves in these sections putting the basic and advanced techniques in context. In the final section you will experience how Yousif incorporates these practices into his solos as you learn parts of his composed solo Manta Ray Dance.  

Drum Suggestions:
Looking to purchase a drum?  Yousif highly recommends the Cooperman Artist Series Riq.  You can purchase a Riq directly from our duoJalal linked store.