Berlin frame drum school

 

frame drum courses for all levels

Join the frame drum community, develop your musicality and indulge in the rhythmic flow! I’m Borys Slowikowskipercussionist, educator, and psychologist. I offer individual and group classes in modern frame drums, as well as drum circles, drumming retreats, and rhythmic couching for musicians.

The lessons are adjusted to the needs of student – whether it’s professional goals, hobby, meditative practice, self-development or boosting rhythmic skills.

If you already play frame drums, I will help you systemise your practice, develop your sound, improve dexterity and take your playing to another level.

If you have never studied any instrument before, I will guide you step-by-step, building up an ability to play, re-accessing your musicality and finding joy in making music.

There is no such thing as ‘lack of the sense of the rhythm’ or ‘lack of musical skills’. Everyone has capabilities to become a musical being.

Twim flames

approach

In my artistic and teaching practice I focus on three instruments from the world of frame drums: modern ‘lap-style’ frame drum, modern ‘upright’ frame drum and riqq. I have studied each of them under the guidance of Zohar Fresco since 2010 as well as riqq from Yshai Afterman in 2020-2022. Click the button below to read more about frame drums and the techniques that I teach.

I provide my students with exercises and compositions to expand their understanding of rhythm and develop their playing skills. We work with traditional grooves and their countless variations, become friends with odd time signatures, practice limb independence, make first (and further) steps in improvisation, learn to compose our own rhythms and phrases… All in a very systematic approach, adjusted to the pace of each student. 

music is movement!

Music is a basic human need, a practice crucial for individual and communal health. Developing one’s musicality for me means also developing one’s relationship with their body and sensuality. A method I use to teach rhythmology, is what I call Bodies In Pulse!-Pulse in Bodies! (BIP!/PIB!) that I have been researching since 2013. It relies both on developing rhythmicality through an intuitional somatic practice, and on deepening the understanding of rhythm.

Also when it comes to teaching drum techniques, I pay a great attention to the body: it’s posture, breath, presence, responsiveness. The whole playing system of Zohar Fresco is built around the topic of ergonomics of movement, which makes it quite unique in the world of traditional percussion. Being a somatic practitioner and dancer, I continue to research his approach, developing exercises which help to make learning more intuitive.

Types of courses and classes

Discovery workshops

Introduction to basic techniques and rhythmics

Drum circles

Sessions focused on rhythmic development and group playing.

Regular groups

In-depth studying in a systematic approach

Frame drum camps

Intensive workshops in natural settings

Individual lessons

In-person or online.

impressions

The concept of a rhythmic instrument intimidated me as I have been told for years that I am not good at it. But the approach of Borys has helped me breakdown and understand rhythmic compositions. He also shifted my experience, from practicing an instrument in isolation, to the experience of communal playing that creates feelings of personal and group achievement. I highly appreciate his teaching and the class is the highlight of my week!
Dimitra Gkokou

Borys Slowikowski is a fantastic teacher. To learn with him is a gratifying experience driven through curiosity; exploring rhythm and the elasticity of time-travel. The emphasis is on strengthening listening and assimilation while we play together.

Mor Demer

Borys is a very skilled teacher, who can move seamlessly in one lesson between a purely technical approach to rhythm analysis and playing the instrument on one side, and a more intuitive playful approach on the other, so he always manage to find the leverage point for the learning process to happen. Highly recommended also for individual lessons!

Alessio Castellacci

The concept of a rhythmic instrument intimidated me as I have been told for years that I am not good at it. But the approach of Borys has helped me breakdown and understand rhythmic compositions. He also shifted my experience, from practicing an instrument in isolation, to the experience of communal playing that creates feelings of personal and group achievement. I highly appreciate his teaching and the class is the highlight of my week!
-Dimitra Gkokou

EVENTS

past courses and workshops

Classes in Poznan, Poland

In case you are interested in joining, please send me an email: borys.drums@gmail.com new group for beginners in Poznan: open call! TO BE ANNOUNCED! start: September 2025 Intensive weekend workshops twice a month. Write me if you'd like receive the updates.   Poznan...