Hossam Ramzy’s Drumming Workshop
Article by Fereshta

It was with great excitement that 20 drummers awaited the arrival of the great Hossam Ramzy at Oasis Dance Studio on the cold winter evening of Thursday 7th August 2003

For Kerin and Fereshta it was a moment in history that neither will ever forget! A world famous percussionist stepped through their doorway and no one knew what they were in for!

What a friendly and humble man he was, and much slimmer than his last photo! He insisted on foregoing long, extravagant introductions and got on with his task - to teach Middle Eastern drumming on the Egyptian tabla (thank goodness everyone had one! We were nervous that someone would forget theirs!) to a vast array of talent from Dahlia who had had one lesson, to Mana who has been drumming for about 20 odd years.

As is his way, Hossam told some lovely stories – including the one that women were the first to drum!!

He insisted that men only took it up when the rhythms became interesting.

The class began with Hossam checking people’s skills on the tabla - a couple of people passed, but most (nervously) gave him a rendition from a few basic beats to exotic pieces. Then he showed us where to place our hands (VERY important) when making a Dum or a Tac. You can imagine the noise as everyone tried out these beats!!

The best part for most of us, apart from his wonderful demonstrations on his beautiful Mother of Pearl tabla, was learning the 7 practice rhythms that will make us master drummers one day - if we practise for and hour and ten minutes every day! He said that when you speed up, double the speed , don’t increase it gradually. Hossam said that sometimes he will close his school down in London for two weeks and he will set to practising 8 hours a day!

Finally we got to play some Fellahy - which means “of the farmer”, Maqzoum, Wahda Kebira meaning “big lady”, Masmoudi, Malfouf which means “rolled”, and how to make a slap.

The newest popular music is Shaabi meaning “everybody”, Rai which is Algerian, and Wahrani.

We definitely received a very professional and informative workshop, and we had a joyful group photo at the end. Hossam welcomed questions but would take no compliments, saying “Don’t butter me up!” There will be lots of people out there practising their little hearts out. For all you would-be drummers I personally recommend Hossam’s CD “Rhythms of the Nile” which is a double teaching CD, available at Sheik to Sheik Studio and Oasis Dance Studio.

I would like to thank Sheik to Sheik for sponsoring Hossam. It is rare that we have an opportunity like this to learn from a world class musician.

Fereshta

Fereshta is one of the 5 teachers at Oasis Studio and teaches Bellydance with Soul and Basic Middle Eastern Drumming for Bellydance, and runs workshops both in Perth and in country areas.