Music Courses

OMG it’s official! We’re so honoured that the Amazi(n)gh duo Iness Mezel & Nora Abdoun are leading our 5-day workshop on acoustic Berber music. 

When: Mon 4th - Fri 8th July, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: RG01 at SOAS

Delivery: in-person

Being the largest ethnic minority of North Africa, the Berber follow a traditional oral culture incorporating their own language, script and music wherein women’s voices accompanied on bendir (frame drum) play a phenomenal role. Although women’s songs inspired many famous male singers in the region, they have been ignored in their own right. Innes & Nora offer a platform to the otherwise largely invisible world of female voices from Kabylie as a window to the power and beauty of Berber oral culture, which has long suffered oppression and invisibility. Hence they call their initiative "Tiwkilin", which translates to “the invisible world”.

Join Beibei Wang, a genre-defying international virtuoso percussionist, in an exciting four-day course on Chinese drumming & percussion. Calling all levels of experience and equipment – bring your drumsticks and a practice pad or just wooden spoons and pan!

When: Mon 13th - Thur 17th June, 18:30-21:00 BST

Where: G52 on the ground floor of SOAS main building

Delivery: in-person

We'll be focusing on traditional drum techniques and learning fun percussion ensemble pieces, as well as introducing some of the many regional styles of percussion music and opera. Pdfs and relevant video links will be provided to help you continue your studies. 

With this workshop, you'll be able to:

🇨🇳 Pretty exponentially boost your sense of rhythm & structure

🇨🇳 Understand authentic Chinese rhythms & cool music patterns

🇨🇳 Use our fab ideas to guide your future composition & teaching 

You heard it here first: The collaborative four-day course on Circlesinging with Britain's leading Circlesinging facilitator Guillermo Rozenthuler is back.

⭕ When: Mon 13th - Thurs 16th June, 18:30-21:00 BST

⭕ Where: BG01 at Brunei Gallery SOAS

⭕ Delivery: In-person

Being the earliest form of community singing, circlesinging is performed in countless different ways around the world. It can involve a lot of things: vocal improvisation, jamming, add-or-change-a-part, voicestra, a drum circle for singers, or simply make-it-up singing. 

In any case, circlesinging is beautiful and quite a mistake-free zone, so you don't need to worry about being a bad singer... It doesn’t matter how you sound – the rest of the group makes you sound awesome!

Musical expression through the voice forms the foundation to the art of Indian Classical Music. We invited inspiring singer Mehboob Nadeem this summer to offer you the best vocal training in exactly this.

When: Mon 13th - Fri 17th June, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: SOAS University of London. Room B104

Delivery: In-person

Level: Suitable for all levels

This course offers introduction to Classical Indian voice culture and singing styles, as well as the melodic concept of the raag, including composition and improvisation within a given raag (mode). There will be:

🇮🇳 basic theory

🇮🇳 traditional warm up exercises

🇮🇳 learning about the rhythmic structures

🇮🇳 in-depth practical work on two raags, and way more.....

Our 2022 rubâb workshop is now open for registration! Sign up today for a specialist in-depth course with one of the UK's finest proponents of the Afghan Rubâb.

When: Mon 4th, Weds 6th, Thurs 7th and Fri 8th July, 18:30-21:00 BST

Where: Room R201 in SOAS Main Building

Delivery: In-person

Level: Intermediate & Expert; attendees should bring their own instrument

The rubâb is Afghanistan's national instrument, and is often called “the lion of instruments”. The characteristic sound of this plucked, two-chambered lute can be attributed to its construction, consisting of a single block of mulberry tree wood and affixed with goat skin; the sympathetic strings, tuned to the notes of a given mode, give the rubâb its special tone. Earlier iterations of this instrument were used widely throughout the Persianate world in both court and Sufi contexts, including in Afghanistan, Iran, India, Kashmir, and Xinjiang. The instrument is also the ancestor of the modern-day Indian sarod.

With Dr William Rees Hofmann (and Professor Emeritus Dr John Baily)

Are you an instrument player, vocalist, composer, or music producer?

Wanna expand your playing, composition, and improvisation by learning the theory behind melodies, harmonies, and scales across the globe?

Then come attend this 5-day course on international music composition theory that creative Latina musician Eliane Correa put together just for you!

When: Mon 4th - 8th July, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: SOAS University of London

Delivery: in-person

Topics include but are not limited to:

🎵 Modes in Ethiopian music and their integration in jazz & improvisation

🎵 Microtonality in Arabic scales

🎵 Horn lines in salsa & Cuban music

🎵 Modulation in Brazilian music and gospel-style chord substitutions

Western notation will be provided, but we can accommodate musicians who are more comfortable learning by ear. Participants may also bring their instrument to apply what we are learning on the go, although this is not obligatory.

So what are you waiting for? Snatch your ticket to a magical summer below! 10/10 you WON'T regret.

Whatever your instrument, here’s a chance to play some classic Cuban styles: Son, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Latin Jazz… The course looks at rhythms, structure, arrangement & improvisation within those musical forms. Award-winner Sara McGuinness, and her supportive gang of musicians spanning all abilities, will give you the most immersive intro to Cuban Music you need. One of our most popular courses, sessions will be varied, hands-on and a LOT of fun!

When: Sat 11th - Sun 12th June, 10-12:30, (lunch 12:30-1:30) 1:30 - 4pm

Where: To be decided

Delivery: in-person

Level: All levels & instruments (arrangements customized to instruments present)

After months of toiling away in our office, we’re so proud to announce that our spine-tingling workshop on flamenco rhythms is finally ready for sale! 

When: Mon 4th - Fri 8th July, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: RB01 at SOAS

Delivery: in-person 

Level: All levels welcome; no previous experience required

**You need to bring your own instrument for this course, or contact us for hire options**

This is a hands-on taster course introducing the flamenco rhythms (Buleria, Seguirias, Solea, Tangos, Alegria etc.) on the cajón. 'Cajón' (pronounced ca-hon) means drawer or box in Spanish. It originates from Peru where it is used in folk music styles such as Festejo. Legend has it that African slaves in Peru started playing their grooves on the fishing 6 packing boxes where they worked when slave-owners banned their African drums. The Peruvian cajón then found its way to the loving hands of Paco De Lucia, who developed the guitar string system to create a more snarey sound.

Save the date! Our Maqam workshop is back on 20th June.

Learn to play this Middle Eastern music, based of the melodic concept of maqam. 

The FOUR-day course (please note there will be no session on the Thursday) will cover the principles of improvisation, Introduction to Middle Eastern music Maqams (modulations), Arabic music forms and selected pieces from the Arabic music repertoire.

When: Mon 20, Tue 21, Wed 22 and Fri 24 June, 18:30-21:00 BST

Where: Room 4429 (except Weds which is in L67) at SOAS

Delivery: in-person

Level: All instruments and levels welcome

The musical heritage spread from North Africa to Central Asia, generally referred to as “maqām”, unites the region, regardless of territorial, linguistic and religious differences. Iranian and Arab music traditions have long been two of the most important pillars of this vast shared culture, always keeping in time with the present while rooted in the past. 

The moment you've been waiting for is here... tickets now on sale for our Darbuka weekender! The course will introduce basic playing techniques, essential rhythms, overview on Middle Eastern percussion.

When: Sat 25th - Sun 26th June, 10-12:30, (lunch 12:30-1:30) 1:30 - 4pm BST

Where: G52 on the ground floor of SOAS main building

Delivery: in-person

Level: all levels welcome

The darbuka, a hand-drum common throughout the Arab cultural sphere, originated from the Middle East around 2000 years ago. A skilled player can tease a complex range of sharp and deep sounds from this goblet shaped drum. It is an easy instrument to learn and yet has a surprising emotional range. 

The lineup is here 🎤 Grab a ticket to partake in a weekend workshop on Mongolian Throat Singing with Britain's most experienced Khöömii singer, Michael Ormiston and the forever-phenomenal, Candida Valentino!

When: Sat 18th - Sun 19th June, 10-12:30, (lunch 12:30-1:30) 1:30 - 4pm

Where: G52 on the ground floor of SOAS main building

Delivery: in-person

Ready to tick off a bucket list item? Tickets for Rhythmic Elements of the World are now available! This workshop makes you understand every essential concept & device of rhythm you've ever heard in international music. Percussion instruments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you want.

When: Mon 4th - Fri 8th July, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: RB01 at SOAS

Delivery: in-person 

Level: intermediate/experienced players of any instrument

In this workshop, we explore rhythm as a compositional tool inspired by world music styles: timeline, layering, polyrhythms, cross rhythms, moving bass, and more. Improve your sense of rhythm and structure, apply the patterns in your own instrument, or use these ideas as a tool in composition and teaching. 

Some examples of what we will be covering:

🌍 rhythmic compositions, shapes and phrases in South Indian music

🌏 long rhythmic cycles from Ottoman music

🌎 multi-layered grooves from Brazil & Morocco

🌏 how to play Sandansko Horo in 22/8 

We're beyond excited to have our very own world-music singer Júlia Kozáková back for a FREE four-day Roma music workshop this year. The fantastic virtuoso Roma cimbalom player, Lubomir Gaspar will be leading the workshop with her, and all workshop participants are invited to join Julia on stage for her performance as part of this SOAS Concert Series event.

Register today to save your spot.

When: Mon 13th - Thu 16th June, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: Room B103, First floor of the Brunei Gallery building, SOAS University of London

Delivery: in-person

What could possibly make this workshop even better? The option to perform with Júlia as part of the SOAS Concert Series, happening Friday 17th June in the Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre!

The summer you’ve been waiting for is fast approaching with a golden five-day opportunity to try your hand at Sabar Drumming with Senegalese master drummer Modou Diouf! 

When: Mon 4th - Fri 8th July, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: RB01 at SOAS

Delivery: in-person 

Level: All levels welcome; no previous experience required

Instruments will be provided 🥁

Carved from Dimb wood with a goatskin head attached by seven pegs and a clever lacing system that allows for tuning, Sabar drums are played with a stick in one hand and the palm of the other. A form of drumming once exclusively reserved for Senegalese royalty, Sabar music is today found at all kinds of social events including weddings, birth ceremonies, and most especially wrestling matches! The thrilling rhythms define the jaw-dropping Mbalax sound played by popular artists like Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal.

Down to learn everything Sabar you need to know? Tickets on sale right below!

Here's a chance to learn Brazilian melodies, songs and rhythms from the Northeast of Brazil, with Rachel Hayter and Jansen Santana

When: Mon 20th - Fri 24th June, 18:30-20:30 BST

Where: SOAS Main Building (meet in G52 on the first day)

Delivery: In-person

Come to a captivating 4-day Kora course with Kadialy Kouyate

When: Mon 13th, Weds 15th, Thurs 16th  18:30 - 20:30 BST

Fri 17th 16:00 - 18:00 BST

Where: G51 on the ground floor of SOAS main building (meet in G52 on the first day)

Delivery: In-person

Level: Beginner & Intermediate

Good news – the Mbira workshop for 2022 is here! Your teachers Linos Wengara and Tim Lloyd have a lifetime's experience with Zimbabwean traditional music and spiritual culture. 

When: Mon 20th - Fri 24th June, 18:30 - 20:30 BST

Where: G51 on the ground floor of SOAS main building

Delivery: In-person

Level: Beginner, but offers progression & deeper insight for intermediates

Mbira, the national instrument of Zimbabwe, is used in Shona spiritual ceremonies to call upon the spirits passed down through generations, through a repertoire of ancient songs. More recently, it has also found its way into popular music.

In this wonderful course, you will:

🇿🇼 learn some of those ancient songs, progressing to add vocals & variations

🇿🇼 study new ways of hearing melodies & polyrhythms

🇿🇼 discuss the spiritual meanings & culture of Mbira music

Original instruments will be available for use or purchase.