I offer group courses and individual lessons in middle eastern frame drums in Berlin and Poznan (Poland). The lessons are dedicated to anyone that feels like learning, also those that have never played any instrument.
WHAT IS THE FRAME DRUM?
The frame drum is a percussion instrument whose diameter is greater than its depth. It is one of the oldest musical instruments known to humans. In different shapes and under different names, it occurs almost all around the world. The one that I play is called in Hebrew Tof Miriam, which means 'The drum of Miriam' (after a female prophet who used it, as described in Old Testament).
WHAT AND HOW DO I TEACH?
I teach basic and advanced techniques for middle eastern frame drums. At the same time I am focused on developing my students' musicality: to broaden and deepen their sense of pulse and rhythm, show ways of playing with others, to provide students with tools to improvise and compose, and to explore different musical traditions.
In my teaching I use a combination of methods that I call ‘Body In Pulse’ (more below). It’s based rhythmic vocalization technique (based on konnakol), rhythmic compositions and body-voice practices. To cultivate a more intuitive feel, I also introduce methods and experiences brought from different forms of body practice - movement improvisation, mindfulness practice, Body-Mind Centering, aikido.
My approach to frame drums has been greatly influenced by Israeli percussionist and composer Zohar Fresco, from whom I've been studying since 2010.
His technique combines different styles of playing on this instrument with a deep understanding of the human anatomy and the body’s natural abilities. It allows for effortless playing, making pure and diverse sounds and feeling 'at home' in variety of musical styles. It also involves greater, deeper understanding of rhythmics itself.
WHOM DO I TEACH? My teaching may be addressed to anyone who feels like learning.
IN THE FRAME DRUM WORKSHOPS YOU CAN:
learn basic and advanced techniques for 'lap style' frame drum
learn rhythmic composition to expand your musical horizons and understand complex musical ideas
learn how to play with a bigger group
learn how to use rhythmic vocalization technique (based on Konnakol) to expand and deepen your understanding of rhythm and pulse, improve improvisation and composition skills
learn rhythms from different traditions
develop your body’s coordination
learn how to create your own rhythms and compositions
WHAT IS ‘BODY IN PULSE’?
Body In Pulse is a method developed by me over past 7 years, aiming at developing the sense of rhythm and pulse, teaching rhythmic improvisation, enabling collective musical practice and training mindfulness. It is based on rhythmic vocalization technique (Konnakol) and inspired with different dance and musical traditions, somatic practices (movement improvisation, autogenic training, BMC, contact improvisation), mindfulness training, musical practice of Zohar Fresco as well as a method of Jacek Ostaszewski.
These techniques allow us to understand the rhythm and its logic. They help to find the inner pulse - an indispensable basis of an unrestricted rhythmic expression. They allow us to step out of the prevalent clichés, become sensitive to the natural impulses that lead to the musical creation.
BORYS SLOWIKOWSKI
musician, psychologist, teacher, organizer, performer based in Berlin and Poznan, Poland. Fascinated in teaching. He's studied frame drums since 2010 from Israeli maestro Zohar Fresco. He has also studied music from i.a. Sabina Giannatou, Adam Strug, Bijan Chemirani, Adama Drame, Maciej Filipczuk, Efren Lopez. . The other important field, which infuences his teaching, is contemporary dance/movement improvisation, which he's studied from i.a. Kirstie Simson, Ania Nowicka, Iwona Olszowska, Natalia Iwaniec, Andrew Morrish, Alice Chauchat. His main musical styles include traditional music from Central Poland and Greece plus improvised music. He's played i.a. with Piotr Mełech, Malwina Paszek, Tomek Grdeń, Rita Braga, Jeff Gburek, Ben Kafo Duo, Paweł Doskocz, Tsigunz Fanfara Avantura, Nidal Kalboneh, David Chazam Antisardou, Mahmoud Jahed & Masoud Jahed, Mani Mehrvarz, Poznan Improvisers Orchestra. Co-creator and former curator of Centrum Amarant - an interdisciplinary space for cultural activities in Poznan, Poland.
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