Workshop with Issam Houshan

This past Saturday I went to my second beginning drummer workshop with Issam Houshan.  It was sponsored by Frank Lazzaro and held at the Kava Studio in San Diego.
Issam first started off with how to make the correct sounds with the drum.  Going over hand positioning and how to move the arm or hand to get a clean sound.  Each person took a turn at the sounds so he can correct them on an individual basis.  He went over different drills to do at home to build speed, finger flexibility and forearm strength.
He went over different ways to do rolls and explained how to build strength and stamina for keeping them going. 
Issam stressed the importance of not going over your own abilities, keeping the sounds clean, doing the exercises daily and doing small things that help like breathing!
Issam also has an amazing ear for hearing each individual person in the workshop and helping them get back on track when needed.  He is patient and you can see his love for Arabic music and sharing it with others is a clear passion for him.
Toward the end of the workshop he had us play a basic beledi rhythm and then showed us how to put in the new techniques we learned on top of it.  He demonstrated his amazing drumming skills with rolls and syncopated accents on top of us playing the beledi rhythm.  Something to strive for! 
I have dabbled in Arabic drumming for about 15 years and took my 13 year old son to this workshop who has recently started learning drumming with Frank.  Even I learned new techniques I had never seen before and was inspired to do more drumming than I have been.
I highly recommend Issam's workshops for dancers or drummers looking to expand their knowledge about Arabic drumming.

A little bit about Issam:
Most everyone knows Issam Houshan from the Bellydance Superstars.   Known as "King of the Drum", Issam was born in Syria and had his music training in the Damascus Academy of Music.  He is also the only remaining disciple of the legendary Arab drum master Mahmood Salahadeen. 
In the U.S. Issam has performed with Sting on the Grammy's and with the BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARS in over 400 shows in 16 countries.  He also has a number of CD's and DVD's available for purchase.


http://www.bellydancesuperstars.com/content/issam_houshan.html
 http://www.tablabyissam.com/