Two new groups starting on:
– May 14th (the group is full)
– November 4th
**** Introduction to frame drums: try-out classes on 29.10 & 1.11 ****
If you would like first to explore the frame drum and see if it’s something you would like to study, sign up for one of my introductory classes!
In this new series of frame drum courses I accompany participants from taking their first steps in frame-drumming, through a comprehensive rhythmical development, into taking their playing and musicianship to a higher level!
The first module of the series will focus on building a solid foundations for playing a lap-style frame drum, and comprehending and embodying various rhythmical ideas.
This course is for everyone interested in studying this instrument – regardless of their former musical experience. It’s also for all of those who wish to enhance their rhythmic expertise. A drum is a great tool to comprehensively understand the rhythm, and start ‘speaking’ rhythmic language more fluently.
I’ll provide you with exercises to develop your playing and rhythmic skills; a system of tools you can use to develop in the direction you choose. We will study essential techniques, learn and create grooves, solo phrases, and compositions, work on the sense of rhythm and pulse through the movement, work with timing and limb independence.
Music is movement!
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 rhythmic skills through an intuitional somatic practice, and on deepening the understanding of rhythm.
Also when it comes to studying drum techniques, I pay a great attention to the ergonomy of movement: avoiding unnecessary tensions, creating a healthy relationship between the body and the instrument. This serves not only for a highly dextrous and effortless playing, but also a greater ability/availability to engage in a musical flow. Finally, it helps avoid instrument-related injuries, which are very common in the world of professional music.
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!
Module #1 course encompasses the following areas:
- modern ‘lap-style’ (sitting) technique for frame drum
- traditional rhythms & their variations
- composing new rhythms
- rhythmic phrases & compositions
- percussion accompaniment for melodies
- limb independence exercises
- exercises to develop the sense of rhythm and pulse
- flow – how to cultivate a ‘relaxed focus’
For a good learning environment it’s essential that a group committed for the whole course. It means that it won’t be possible to sign up only partially. If you are interested in exploring the frame drum and deciding whether it’s something you would like to study deeper, consider joining one of my introductory classes.
In case someone will have to miss a meeting from a course, it will be fully recorded on video. A missed meeting can be compensated by joining a class of another group of mine.
Sign up:
borys.drums(at)gmail.com
details:
→ times
Spring group (starting on the 14th of May 2025) – FULL
Autumn group (starting on the 4th of November) – FILLING UP!
Tuesdays, 19:00. The first 4 meetings are 2-hours long. The remaining 4 meetings are 1,5-hours long. The course has 14 hours of classes in total.
In case you miss any of the dates, it is possible to compensate it by attending a meeting of one of my other regular groups (e.g. Wednesdays, 19:00). I will also provide full recordings of the sessions.
Dates:
-
- November: 4.11, 11.11, 18.11, 25.11
- December: 2.12, 9.12, 16.12
- January: 7.01
→ place:
Berlin Frame Drum School – Exerzierstrasse 10 13357 (Wedding/Gesundbrunnen)
→ price:
- €300 – standard price
- €250-300 is a range of prices for the unwaged and people with a lower budget
- €300-350 is a solidarity-price range. By paying above the standard price you are able to cover the costs of participation of people with a smaller budget.
→ instruments
limited amount of high quality drums is available for rent for 30 Euros for the whole course. I can also advice you on buying your own instrument depending on your budget*
*for some orientation: frame-drumming is not an expensive hobby :) A highly professional drums, which I use, cost between 300-400 Euros. A basic, affordable drum is a cost of 100-150 Euros. Please contact me if you need advice regarding an instrument purchase.
→ sign up:
To ensure the spot transfer a downpayment of €180 (the downpayment is non-refundable, but can be used for another course) to the account number given in response.
impressions from the previous courses:
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.