This independent product review comes from Chas Whitaker, www.arabicdrum.co.uk .
Arabic Percussion with Faisal Zedan: Derbakki Fundamentals - Instructional Drum DVD
I have chosen to highlight this particular learning resource as I believe it
is the best educational tool currently available on the market for a
serious, detailed and well presented explanation of Middle Eastern
percussion. To qualify my judgement of this product I would like to explain
that I am a predominantly self-taught player who has taken expert
instruction from some of the world’s best players of Middle Eastern
percussion. I started over 15 years ago with one video and a couple of
rhythm identification CDs, since then the market has become flooded with
dozens of DVD’s, CD’s books and many Internet resources, I have seen almost
all of these products and I have listed them on my website at
www.arabicdrum.co.uk <http://www.arabicdrum.co.uk/> . Most of these
products have something really useful to learn about Middle Eastern
percussion and of course there are many different interpretations of the
rhythms according to regional difference and the personal interpretation of
the individual player. What I like so much about this product is that covers
all the areas I believe are fundamental to understanding and playing
correctly the Darabuka.
This DVD is excellent value for money – you get over 2 hours drum
instruction and performance, combined with that, almost 50 pages of
supplementary information in the form of a downloadable PDF document. The
production quality of the video shoot is of a high standard with useful on
screen notation and the instructor, Faisal, is clear and concise. The
accompanying eBook gives essential information about concepts in Middle
Eastern music which are very important for the serious student to understand
such as Mizan, Wazan, Maqam, Taqsim, Muwashahaat, Tarab etc. as well as
presenting a very clear introduction to notation of the rhythms. There is a
very well balanced explanation of the different styles of playing technique
and how each is suited to the different styles of music to be found across
the Middle East, North Africa, Gulf and Turkey. This acknowledgement of all
the variations in drums, rhythms, names, playing styles, techniques etc. is
one of the very strong aspects of this package; it encompasses all the
different interpretations with clear explanation. A good example is the
explanation of why the term Ka is used in the West but not so in the
countries of origin, Faisal and David clearly understand the market this
package is aimed at and they do an excellent job in unravelling all the
inconsistencies and contradictions which can be found when learning this
style of drumming. The primary and secondary sounds played on the Darabuka
are also fully covered with clear explanation and demonstration and examples
are given of how to incorporate these sounds and techniques into the
commonly heard rhythms like Maqsoum, Malfuf and Masmoudi. Separation of
senses is not often addressed in tuition DVD’s and again the explanation is
clear with many dazzling examples. Approximately 30 rhythms are then played
by Faisal from across the Arabic world with various embellishments and
variations, the accompanying eBook gives notation for the basic forms and
some filled versions, there is also a good explanation of the “family” of
rhythms and how and where they are usually played. Some good coordination
exercises are given to help execute some of the concepts previously
demonstrated. Next up is a fantastic look at solo ideas for working with
bellydancers, this is a topic not often covered and here Faisal presents 14
commonly heard phrases with accompanying notation in the eBook, the phrase
is played at normal speed and then the film is slowed down so you can make
sense of what is happening. A nice explanation of how the relationship
between dancer and drummer works, is also given in the eBook. Now David
joins in playing Katem whilst Faisal demonstrates all the phrases against
the backing rhythm of David – a truly very clear, detailed and sublime
explanation and demonstration all covered is such an economic way.
Percussion only playing has been presented so far and now a demonstration of
playing with melody is given with the expert playing of Samer Farah on
Qanoon and Faisal accompanying on clay darabuka illustrating all the
concepts of accompanying melody players as discussed in the eBook, they play
two well known compositions – Dulab Kurd and Saba Samer. Finally for pure
indulgence pleasure, there is a great jam between Faisal, Sait Arat and Emin
Bolat in Emin’s shop with his signature drums. An excellent demonstration of
how the best drummers work together giving each other solid backing whilst
each takes it in turn to show off their virtuosity and improvisational
skills. As well as all this there is the wonderful CD – MADAR featuring
Faisal and Samer playing classic Arabic Instrumental music and
improvisations, great for playing along to or pure listening pleasure.
In conclusion I would say this is definitely not just a beginners DVD, it
starts at the beginning but swiftly moves on to introduce more advanced
concepts. It is perfect for the serious student who really wants to achieve
on the Darabuka. It may be a little overwhelming for the beginner who is
looking for a slow and gentle introduction but there are plenty of DVD’s out
there which cover this. The contextualisation of the darabuka in the Middle
Eastern world as well as how it is developing in the West is perfectly
balanced. Faisal is from the Levant region and consequently the style,
interpretation and technique he uses are predominantly of this flavour but I
really like the acknowledgement he gives to other styles and interpretation
which is superbly illustrated in the final jam with the Turkish players. The
only other DVD, which in my opinion, matches this DVD, is the “La Darbouka -
Introduction Tutor – Percussions of the Arabic World DVD” by Ali Alaoui
which gives a very good introduction to Arabic percussion from the Maghrebi
perspective with equally generous extras. David is to be congratulated on
producing a very well balanced, informative, quality product and Faisal for
his undeniably superb playing and most importantly a clear, concise and
measured teaching style. There is one “big” regional style which has not
been adequately covered in educational DVD form and that is the Turkish
style especially the split-finger technique; I hope David may be inspired to
be the first one to do this with all his undoubted production skills and
contacts in Istanbul. Go make him feel like it would be worthwhile by buying
this great product, if you buy before the middle of March you may even win
an Emin Darabuka, what more incentive are you waiting for – go buy.
