Drumming & Percussion
Drum and Rhythm Basics Course – Numbers, Skins, Hands & Sounds
I started this class in 2012 and it has been going strong ever since. It is for all the people who would like to participate in drum circles but don’t really know what to do. Even if you never do another drum class in your life after this you will have a foundation that you can build upon for the rest of your life!
In just three classes, we will build a foundation based on rhythmical exercises, sounds, hand/stick techniques, and a beginning bit of practice. You will learn the percussion basics, which can be applied to any type of drum, so you will be able to play along in a drum circle or jam out with your friends. Learn more about this class by clicking here.
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Basic Pattern Practice Class
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of and experience with drumming as presented in my Introduction to Drumming course.
In this course, we will practice and refine what you learned in Introduction to Drumming to further develop your percussion and drumming skills. Drumming takes practice. The good news is that even with this one hour a week you will quickly improve your skills and enjoy drumming more and more.
Besides working with drums, we will use stomping and clapping the beat while reciting different voices. This will make sure that we “grok” each rhythm on all levels: understand it, feel it and connect it to other rhythmical patterns. Then, rhythms will be applied to the drums and percussion instruments until each groove is fully present and felt by everybody.
“I really enjoyed the meetup and drumming with all of you! I hope to explore this further when my schedule allows. Daniel does a great job and his enthusiasm was contagious.” Sandra Merhar
“This is an awesome class, and I recommend it highly to anyone interested in exploring drumming. Daniel indeed has boundless enthusiasm and passion for drumming, and warmly welcomes new students to share in this joy. He paces the lessons beautifully for a newbie… starting off simply and building up bits of complexity as soon as the group is ready to level up He also understands the mysterious power of music and shares insights along the way. By the end of the evening, our group was making music together ~ simple yes, but intoxicating. To have come so far so fast, and to discover another path to creating joy in my life… just so exciting. I’m hoping to start Daniel’s next beginner-level class and to bring my sons. I know it will be amazing.” Bonnie C.
“Superb. I look forward to next week.” Anthony Floyd
“Much fun! I enjoyed meeting everyone! Richard
“I really enjoyed, and I will go back. Fabulous! Katia Rossomme
“Great energy, attitude, and atmosphere – enthusiasm unbounded.” Joan Baron
SIGN UP TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT CLASSES
Tabla Classes – in-person and online
Tabla Classes Phoenix: Learn to play the Tabla in the bay area – deeply rooted in the north Indian classic system I teach how to play lighter rhythms for Kirtan, Bajans, and all you need to know to accompany any other instrument or voice in any style.
Daniel studied North Indian Tabla since 1981
His most important teachers: Sunit Kanjilal, Debu Chakraborty, Jatinder Thakur, Anindo Chatterjee
His main teacher is now Abhijit Banerjee, www.abhijitbanerjee.com
He has performed with various artists both in Europe and the US, playing north Indian classical, Bhajan and Kirtan devotional and light classical singing. He has also participated in various world music and jazz projects. Daniel moved from Vienna, Austria to Arizona in 1992 and is teaching Tabla for the last 15 years +. As of spring of 2019, he has about 15 weekly students.
No matter what your goals are, I will help you or your child to develop clarity of sound, a solid sense of time, and a good understanding of rhythmic cycles. We also will spend time on how to practice to help you develop your skills quickly while enjoying it.
To schedule a 1-hour class with Daniel click here
To schedule a 30 minutes beginners class click here
I always knew when I heard the djembe rythms, that I will play it myself one day. Daniel made it happening, he is passionate, experienced and can teach you so many ways of creating music, it blows my mind.. Every time I go to a drum workshop i learn something new, the community he has built is so strong and capable of listening to each other, it warms my heart and fills it with deep joy. The connection, love, and laughter together is incredibly addictive….I don’t want to miss any beat of it…thank you Daniel
Thank you, Petra! I feel the same… 🙂
I took Daniels January 18 drumming basics seminar. This experience is imprinted on my soul – to my core. That each student can learn equally is a gift from Daniel, and his teaching ability. It is a unique experience to treasure.
If you are interested in breath work and/or drumming, this is a great place to start! Daniel brings years of experience, study and exploration to the workshop. His virtuosity extends out beyond these two topics, which is in part what makes him such an excellent teacher and communicator. Well worth the investment of time and money.
Thank you Daniel for a great class! It does not matter if you are a new musician or experienced; much to learn from an enthusiastic and great teacher. I loved his stories and generosity of spirit. Getting to share drumming together in a group was awesome and cannot wait to do experience again. Sincere thanks..
I attended Daniel’s Drum and Rhythm Basics workshop! I truly enjoyed it. Daniel is a gentle soul and teaches in a fun and low stress way. Left feeling happy and calm, it is good for the soul! I will definitely be attending more!
I’ve only been drumming with Daniel for a few months and already I feel healthier, happier and more connected to the people around me. When I get anxious or stressed out, I play some simple rhythms on my drum and I’m exploding with positive energy! I’m calmer with my kids and find myself smiling at strangers. My world is a better place with my drumming class. It’s a physical and spiritual reset that I need every week.
Daniel’s class is always more than a drum class: always fun and can breath deeper as bathed in the relaxing, healing atmosphere he so naturally creates. It is inspirational and healing always. I’d love to keep coming back to sit in the circle, Love your class !!
Daniel’s wisdom and joy, along with his passion for drumming and teaching during a recent Drum & Rhythm Basics Workshop has inspired me to take additional classes. Besides starting to learn drumming basics, the feeling of connection and community during this three-hour workshop were true gifts for me. Thank you Daniel for sharing your Divine gifts!
Pssst… want to know my new happy, healing space? It is sitting upon a cushioned folding chair, legs encircling a drum, nestled in with others, taking in a momentous breath and falling into the beat among lit-up faces. Thank you, Daniel, for providing this deeply rich, safe environment to experience and learn drumming. Whether the class is in his home or in the pines of Flagstaff (thank you Barb!!!), attending one of Daniel’s drumming classes connects you to more than you can imagine!
Daniel is knowledgeable and understands the importance of getting back to connecting with each other through music.
I attended Daniel’s Drum and Rhythm Basics class in Parks Arizona on a beautiful summer afternoon. I really didn’t know what to expect. I love new adventures especially when I am doing something that is totally out of my norm. Daniel is a wonderful knowledgeable teacher and has such a passion for creating a sense of community through his drumming. I was hesitant at first, but by the end of the class I felt like I was so free to express myself through my drumming. Keeping the beat with Daniel and the other students was such a wonderful feeling. I felt much joy, freedom, and connection from my fellow classmates and teacher I will definitely attend more classes so that I can learn another way to communicate with others. This experience was so beneficial for my body, mind, soul and emotional well-being. Rhythm and beat our key elements to living our best life. Thank you so much Daniel for showing us another way to connect with the world around us.
Daniel’s intro to drumming workshop was amazing. I have a renewed passion for drumming which I thought I had lost. His passion is contagious. He makes you feel comfortable and provides an uplifting educational experience. I cant wait for more drum time with him !!
I was fortunate enough to attend a class Daniel offered in Flagstaff. It was beyond my expectations. I live in the Phoenix area and intend on continuing my education with Daniel. I felt amazing during the lesson and for several hours after. Anyone with any interest I highly recommend you take a workshop with Daniel.
Thank you Pam!
I came to this class feeling entirely rhythmless and intimidated. Daniel draws you in, gets you comfortable, and then alters your reality. After having completed the basic drumming class, I’ll say that Daniel blows my mind with his skill and insight, but more importantly, I blew my mind with the realization of what I’m capable of. He’s a true teacher. There were moments during those classes when I could feel the synapses firing in my brain. It was a most enjoyable experience. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
Thanks, Shaundra, it was great having you in the class… come back and jam with us!
In a world filled with individual thinking, winning and profit margins, finding a common pulse is challenging. But in Daniel’s classes, the magic happens! Regardless of the mood you are in when you enter his home, you leave knowing you are a valued member of a universal heart-beat that flows between music and people. Somewhere between rhythm and beat, you re-discover a deeper part of yourself and remember who you are. When Daniel connects this universal pulse to the human breath, it literally takes your breath away as you are transported inward, reunited with body and soul. It is an amazing awakening to a deeper understanding of our universal connection. Thank you!
Thank you Daniel for sharing your knowledge and energy. I really enjoyed this class because it gave me a much deeper understanding of rhythm and our longing to connect to each other through music. I just happened to come across Daniels classes online and since have been drumming with him for about 7 months now. Every time I leave his class I feel I have learned a valuable lesson that will be with me so that I can build on it. I’m excited to see where this experience will lead. This class is where anyone could come and feel as connected as I do to not only their own rhythm but the rhythm of the entire group, and come away with a deeper understanding of the origins of music in general. I highly recommend it for anyone. Very fulfilling
Daniel’s class was inspiring, educational and fun! If you’re expecting to come and just bang on a drum forget it. Be prepared to go on adventure when you attend this class. Daniel teaches drumming basics in such a way that he intertwines his passion for music and life in the class. Not only does he share his knowledge of drumming but also of music and life as a whole and how they can and do impact your life. I came away from Daniels class not only with a basic understanding of drumming but also with an excitement and a thirst to learn more. Cheers
Daniel’s expertise far surpasses just Drumming. Notice I capitalized the word Drumming because it is an elemental constant, a resonance which reverberates beyond Music. Enjoying the Drum and Rhythm Basics class has enriched our friendship and brought us closer into the heartbeat of Human Life. I would recommend this class to just about anyone at anytime. The benefits are numerous, with many subtle truths that become evident through the Magic of the Drum.
This is so much more than a drumming class.
I am able to further understand the history and importance of the drum within the community.
By practicing in Daniel’s small group, I feel more confident in myself, to keep a rhythm with intention, and in connection with those who drum with me.
I appreciate your light, Daniel.
Teachers like Daniel, with years of practice beneath their belts, make complicated drumming rhythms seem like child’s play. But therein lies the key to his awesome classes – DRUMMING IS FUN! And when you combine learning to play drums with the expertise of a master teacher like Daniel, you’re straight on your way to MAGIC.
Daniel not only shares rhythms and how-to’s, but expertise and knowledge developed from years of experience. From the self-conscious beginner to those already practicing, Daniel enthusiastically gathers everyone under his wing and leads the way. No experience? – No drum? – No problem! Daniel will loan you a drum, show you how to start, and how to immediately fit right in with the group.
Besides fun and stress relief, drumming also provides cognitive and relaxation benefits that extend far beyond the weekly sessions. It’s also really nice to meet up with others practicing their skills. With no obligation and an outstanding teacher, these sessions always deliver. I HIGHLY recommend giving them a try!
I took the course this fall (2016). This course provided much more than I expected. Daniel gives you a great perspective on what drumming can be. He grounds you in the basics but also paints the vision of what the potential is mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Daniel is an amazingly skilled drummer and teacher. He is able to attune to each person’s skill level in a group setting and skillfully adjusts his mode of teaching to the levels of all participants. Very fun class! Highly recommended.
I took the beginner class a couple years ago and recently took it again for a refresher.. i plan to start the pattern class . Daniel makes the classes fun and thought provoking .. I think drumming could help heal the world!.. come see for yourself!..Lisa B.
I love Daniel’s basic drumming class. Thank you Daniel for sharing and teaching your gifts with us. I have never drummed before until I met you. I have learned so much. Thank you Daniel for a wonderful class.
Daniel’s Drum and Rhythm Basics Class is a great way to get your feet wet in learning about drumming. He introduces drumming from many points of view including its relationship to the different patterns in life. This educational process allows the students to connect with themselves, the instrument they play, and most of all the other people part of the circle — it creates a vibrational bond that lights up your heart! The most astonishing part of the class for me was how well I could breath after each lesson. You will have to take his class in order to feel this power of breathing! …
I can’t say enough good things about this class! Daniel has so much knowledge and a true gift for teaching. Even though we learned a LOT, it was always fun & interesting. I can’t wait to go to more circles now that I know enough to actually participate 🙂
If you have any interest at all in drumming, or you want a refresher . . . Take this Class!!!
In my opinion, Daniel’s class is an awaking to how appreciate drumming, and music in general. Daniel’s effort goes beyond teaching an introduction to drumming. He shares from his heart, all his passions and experiences in percussion, and life. Great inspiring teacher at all levels.
As a music newbie, this was the perfect introduction to drumming and music. I felt at ease in the group, and specially enjoyed how Daniel weaves in the importance of connection with each other as we drum. If you’re curious about drum circles and want to get a solid foundation in drumming, take this class!
If you are considering taking this class from Daniel, don’t hesitate — sign up and enjoy it! Daniel’s energy and warmth supports you every step of the way and you will feel at ease no matter what your starting point is. You will feel amazing good vibes within the group and extend the positivity through easy and powerful drum sounds. It isn’t about the technique, it’s about joy and sharing. Daniel explains all of the roots of this connection and more. He is a wonderful teacher!
The three-session beginners’ class was better than I thought it would be. You learn so much more than drumming! You learn to love drumming. Daniel is knowledgeable and kind, funny and helpful. You will learn about rhythm and groove, beat and phrasing. He lends you a drum if you don’t have one, and in just three weeks I began to listen to music differently. Daniel has a great sense of humor and an easy style that makes non-musicians feel comfortable. He welcomes you into the circle of those who know how and want to learn how to drum.
Thanks Quinn for your very articulate feedback. I really appreciate it!
Daniel’s knowledge, passion and good humor make his Drum and Rhythm Basics Class a really
fun learning experience even for the slowest pupil. So don’t worry, jump in and you will love it!
Bill
Daniel has a special talent for the drums and for helping you get something meaningful out of drumming regardless of your skill. This 3 week series is a great introduction and by the end you will feel comfortable joining others. That’s when It gets fun!
I really enjoyed the drum & rhythm basics class. I learned much more than I expected, most importantly about the sense of connection through the beats. Daniel is a fabulous teacher and his love of the art of drumming is truly inspiring!
I really loved taking Daniel’s Drum and Rhythm Basics class. He has a lot of wisdom to share and the class is fun and entertaining. Thank you, Daniel! I will be back. 🙂
I really enjoyed Daniel’s three Drum & Rhythm Basics classes. I like his approach engaging heart and head as well as hand. I appreciate his knowledge and passion. Banging on a drum with a group of very nice people, I felt myself buoyant and beginning to connect to all of life energy. Thank you for this exploration of rhythm and non-computer connection!
The beginners class is what it started from ….. had a great experience and will continue to gain as much knowledge as I can Sir …. Thanks a lot Sir.
I have just completed Daniel’s Basics class. I can recommend it with confidence. Daniel is supportive to everyone and is tuned in to their needs. He shares from his wealth of knowledge with passion and ensures that his classes are structured and everyone learns and has fun at the same time.
This class changed my life. It’s about a lot more than drumming; it’s about connecting to yourself and others on a profound level. Daniel is a gift: a passionate, wise and loving teacher.
Daniel offers a great beginners class in a comfortable setting. He goes in depth into techniques and rhythms that’s very approachable. Perfect intro to begin drumming for drum circles.
Daniel offers much more than drumming as he helps connect where the rhythm comes from to what is played. This three-part class is a great intro and works well for experienced drummers too!
Thanks Daniel for putting together the “Basics” class. Your home was a comfortable setting, your instruction laid a strong foundation and by the end the group gelled and we were able to get a groove on. Thanks again! I hope to continue meeting up with you some more.
Mark T.
Kind, patient, knowledgeable and inspiring!
wanting to try drumming for a long time, i’ve taken daniel’s basic drumming classes one and two, far exceeding my expectations. daniel’s joy is contagious, as he weaves the divine into his impressive skills and teaching. looking forward to more!!
Daniel is the Bob Ross of drumming. He is enthusiastic and teaches in such a positive way. He teaches the basics and foundation. It is so fun! I will continue.
I got so much more than drumming from this class. Connection, Real people, and true joy. I will be back for more.
Loved Daniel’s class, each class really built upon the prior one. All the students are from all walks of life, and all have been very fun and friendly. I feel like I have basics now that I needed for the drum circles I attend. Try it, you’ll be glad you did!
I finally took the first step and acted on my desire to learn drumming and connect with a drum circle. I am glad to have found Daniel’s basic instructional class on the Djembe drum. I felt right at home with other beginners and learned so much in a short period of time about, beat, time, and coordination. I am excited about continuing with the drum circle in the intermediate drum class and hopefully playing for audiences with the group.
Yes, Daniel teaches drum rhythms for body, mind and soul! I loved the class and am looking continuing the journey of returning to the ONE and exploring the beat.
I’ve been brainlessly drumming for years and thinking, “One day I’m gonna buy a drum and take lessons.” I had a dream about myself with drums strapped to my waist, and bells around my wrists and ankles! Well, this year I’m finally pursing that goal. Daniel helped me fill in the missing piece: FIND THE ONE! He also helps you learn to transition from one rhythm to the other. I can now close my eyes and feel the beat, as well as play it! If you love drumming, and have procastinated on taking lessons like me, jump into this one with mind, body and soul!
Just completed the basics class. I am now addicted! Daniel’s passion and love for the “beat” is truly awe inspiring. A “newbie” such as myself did not feel intimidated by the class, as Daniel ensures that everyone feels comfortable and confident at whatever level they’re at.
We very much enjoyed the drumming basics class. Daniel is an interesting, personable, inspiring teacher. The students in our small group had vastly different degrees of musical background, yet everyone grew through his guidance.
Recently completed the basics class and am noticing how I am much more comfortable playing drums whenever I see one and how relaxed and excited I am to do so. Really enjoyed Daniels teaching, passion and care. His ability to transmit what he knows based on what I could receive was very helpful in my learning.
Daniel has a welcoming way of sharing his knowledge, talent and love of drumming. It is contagious! Now I need to practice what he’s taught me and join in a circle. Thank you
Daniel for your classes! ;D
Daniel is a very committed to both teaching and the art of drumming. I really enjoyed the class and would like to devote more time to learning and being in a circle as my time allows. My journey has begun. Thanks Daniel.
The beginner drumming class definitely catapaulted me to the next level! Having been sponsored by my Rabbi Sarah Leah, it gave her confidence in my drumming at services as well as to myself. Daniel theories on making music and ‘being one’ with other drummers in the class and analyzing the counts as well as the primordial elements within the drumbeat was refreshing and something I can grasp and take into my soul for all time.
“I love drumming, but I can’t seem to keep up with others.” That’s how I’ve felt for quite some time. It was different with Daniel. No one was left behind. He used multiple techniques–voice and hand clapping to help us tune in to and understand the rhythm. For me, it was going from the known to the unknown. I plan to continue.
With gratitude,
Chris
Daniel’s Drum and Rhythm Basics Class was really and truly fantastic. Daniel is incredibly knowledgeable, highly skilled, and tremendously enthusiastic. I discovered him to be a gentle, funny and inspiring teacher.
I have loved percussion for decades. I have participated in several kinds of groups with various styles.
Daniel was able to help me understand much more about beats and rhythm… the basics. I have found a new passion for percussion/drumming and look forward to using my new skills in various drum circles and gatherings… soon !
I took the basic drumming course & was inspired to even think of continuing further. I’ve always kind of had a feel for percussion, but never pursued it until now. It was great to connect with Daniel & the other students in a very intimate way & setting. Daniel is a great teacher which helps!