Yshai Afterman · Online Course

The Complete Lapstyle Frame Drum Course

"Ocean deep, his prayer blowing through distant ringing bells."

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Lapstyle frame drum
The Complete Curriculum

3 pillars. 10 levels.
One musician.

The lapstyle frame drum is one of the most expressive instruments in the Arabic and Persian traditions — and one of the least systematically taught. What you are looking at is the most comprehensive lapstyle frame drum curriculum ever built: ten levels, twenty stages, and a method developed over years of teaching that takes you from the very first stroke to a level of playing that very few musicians in the world have reached.

The method is built on four principles that run through every stage: the numbers system (a building block approach to understanding any rhythm), ghost notes (the continuous undercurrent beneath everything played), original compositions (which move technique from exercise into real music), and an optional independence track — foot bell and hands independence — for those who want to go further. Nothing is introduced before the ground is ready for it. Every step earns the next.

Each level is purchased separately. Both stages unlock on purchase. Stage 2 opens after you mark Stage 1 complete — a simple, honour-based system. You move at your own pace. Everything is yours forever.

10Levels
20Stages
20Compositions
∞Yours forever

The 10-Level Journey

I
Level I · The Awakening · Available now

The Complete Foundation

11 lessons2 compositions

You learn the complete technical alphabet of the lapstyle frame drum — every stroke, every ghost note, the numbers system, and the four building blocks of groove. You play traditional rhythms from Stage 1. You compose from Stage 1. This is where the method begins, and it begins fully.

Numbers system Ghost notes Traditional rhythms Snapping roll Foot bell intro First compositions
Begin Level I →
II
The Unfolding · Unlocks after Level I

Ghost Notes at Depth

16 lessons2 compositions

The ghost note develops into a full musical tool — an ornament, an accent, a constant presence. Snapping deepens with accents. The foot bell path evolves. Compositions grow in complexity and musical ambition.

Ghost note ornament Snapping with accents Foot bell Compositions
III
The Deepening · Unlocks after Level II

Split Hand & the 8 Finger Roll

21 lessons2 compositions

Two major milestones arrive in one level: the split hand technique (with its own golden exercise) and the 8 finger roll. Snapping reaches 16th note density. The index finger tak opens new rhythmic possibilities that transform the entire repertoire.

16th snapping roll Split hand ✦ new 8 finger roll Index finger tak ✦ new Compositions
IV
The Becoming · Unlocks after Level III

Pyramid, Independence & the Full Roll System

15 lessons2 compositions

The split hand develops into the pyramid phrase — a complete musical sentence with its own architecture. Snapping reaches 12 and 16-finger density. The hands independence track begins its own parallel path through the course.

Split hand pyramid phrase 12 & 16 finger rolls Hands independence begins Foot bell Compositions
V
The Convergence · Unlocks after Level IV

Orchestration & Left-Hand Vocabulary

15 lessons2 compositions

Split hand gains full orchestration — every ghost note position becomes a compositional opportunity. The left hand develops its own independent language with ghost notes left to left. 32nd note snaps and splits combine in the same phrase. Everything converges.

Split hand orchestrations Left-hand ghost notes 32nd snaps + splits Foot bell Compositions
VI
The Triplet · Unlocks after Level V

The Most Dramatic Leap — Triplets Enter

16 lessons2 compositions

The snapping vocabulary makes its biggest leap: hand-to-hand snapping triplets, for the first time. Double splits arrive. A 6/8 framework opens new structural territory. The playing reaches a new level of rhythmic density and complexity.

Snapping triplets ✦ new Double splits ✦ new 6/8 framework Foot bell Compositions
VII
The Fluency · Unlocks after Level VI

Triplets Across the Full Repertoire

16 lessons2 compositions

Snapping triplets flow through every traditional rhythm. A left hand 6/8 solo emerges as a standalone musical statement. Split hand triplets arrive as a landmark new technique — the entire split hand route deepens into triplet subdivision.

Triplets in full repertoire 6/8 left hand solo Split hand triplets ✦ new Foot bell Compositions
VIII
The Edge · Unlocks after Level VII

Ghost Notes, Edge Work & Advanced Independence

16 lessons2 compositions

Every ghost note position becomes a split hand triplet or snapping triplet. Edge strokes enter the vocabulary. Hands independence reaches its most demanding form: a full independent rhythmic layer in the left hand over the traditional rhythms.

Ghost notes as triplets Edge double splits ✦ new Advanced independence Foot bell Compositions
IX
The Weave · Unlocks after Level VIII

Permutations, 7/8 & the Malfuf Foot Bell

16 lessons2 compositions

Rhythmic permutations over malfuf. The foot bell path evolves from a steady quarter note pulse into a full malfuf ostinato groove. Triplet variations in 7 beats. The double stroke roll arrives — a new stroke that changes how the instrument speaks.

Permutations over malfuf 7/8 independence Double tak ✦ new Malfuf foot bell ostinato Compositions
X
Samurai · Unlocks after Level IX

Complete Mastery — Nothing Left Out

15 lessons2 compositions

The paradiddle enters the frame drum. Double tak and snapping triplets in dialogue. The foot bell reaches its most advanced form: a malfuf ostinato with numbers looping as a polyrhythm. You compose a solo and send it for personal feedback from Yshai. This is the end of the method — and the beginning of your own musical voice.

Paradiddle ✦ new Rhythmic modulation Polyrhythm foot bell Compose a solo Personal feedback from Yshai
Level I · Coming Soon

The
Awakening.

The complete foundation of lapstyle frame drum — technique, rhythm, understanding, and creative freedom. Not just patterns to memorize. A method that teaches you how to think in groove.

By the end of Level I you will be able to

  • Play all the basic strokes with solid, clean technique
  • Play all the traditional rhythms with different ornaments
  • Compose grooves on the spot — in any subdivision
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In production
1

The Foundations

4 building blocks of groove · positioning · basic strokes · first building blocks · traditional rhythms

Before the first stroke, the method. The 4 Building Blocks of Groove is the system that makes the entire course coherent — a framework for understanding and composing grooves from day one. Everything that follows is built on it.

4 building blocks of groove Basic strokes Building blocks Traditional rhythms Listening list
2

Completing the Picture

Full groupings · phrasing · first ornaments · compositions · snaps

The building block system is completed, and the music begins. Phrasing, first ornaments, snaps — by the end of Stage 2 you stop repeating and start playing.

Full groupings Phrasing First ornaments Snaps technique Compositions
Level II · Coming Soon

The
Unfolding.

The vocabulary deepens. New techniques, richer textures, and a growing independence between the hands — the playing starts to take on a character of its own.

By the end of Level II you will be able to

  • Feel and shift through all subdivisions over a metronome
  • Play the 4 snaps roll fluidly within the traditional rhythms
  • Use Pa as an orchestration tool in ghost notes and traditional rhythms
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In production
1

The Rhythmic Scale & New Tonal Colours

Subdivisions · ornament progression · 4 snaps roll · ghost notes with Pa

The playing opens up. New subdivisions, a deepening ornament system, and the snap vocabulary begins to grow. The drum starts to speak in colours you couldn't access before.

Rhythmic scale Ornament progression Custom ornaments 4 snaps roll Ghost notes with Pa Foot bell path
2

The Practice Deepens

Technique exercise · 16th notes ghost notes · 8 finger roll · compositions · foot bell

A dedicated technique exercise becomes the daily foundation. 16th notes ghost notes, the 8 finger roll — all brought together in original compositions.

Technique exercise 16th notes ghost notes 8 finger roll Compositions Foot bell path
Level III · Coming Soon

The
Deepening.

Speed, nuance, and a new kind of control. The snapping vocabulary expands, the split hand opens a new world, and ghost notes reach a level of expressiveness that transforms the whole instrument.

By the end of Level III you will be able to

  • Command fast, accented snapping rolls with fluency and control
  • Play the split hand technique with full rhythmic vocabulary
  • Use hand-to-hand ghost notes as a musical tool across the whole drum
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In production
1

Speed, Split Hand & New Dimensions

16 snapping roll · split hand · ghost notes H–H · Malfuf 8th notes · compositions

The 16 snapping roll with accents. The split hand technique. Ghost notes from hand to hand. Each one opens a different dimension of control — and compositions bring them all into the music.

16 snapping roll Split hand Ghost notes H–H Traditional rhythms + splits Malfuf 8th notes Compositions Foot bell path
2

New Strokes, New Textures

Ghost notes groups · 8 finger roll with accents · index finger tak · splits · compositions

The ghost notes deepen, the snapping vocabulary gains a new accent layer, and a completely new stroke enters the picture. The traditional rhythms are taken to places they haven't been yet.

Ghost notes — groups H–H 8 finger roll with accents Index finger tak Splits progressions Numbers — split hand 2 groups Compositions Foot bell path Hands independence
Level IV · Coming Soon

The
Becoming.

The split hand expands into full orchestration, the snapping vocabulary reaches new speeds, and a different kind of independence emerges. The playing starts to have a voice of its own.

By the end of Level IV you will be able to

  • Play the split hand with full orchestration across the traditional rhythms
  • Command 32nd note snapping rolls as a musical ending
  • Play ghost notes from left to left — a new dimension of tonal control
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In production
1

Orchestration, Speed & New Independence

Split hand orchestrations · 12+16 finger rolls · 32nd note rolls · ghost notes L–L · compositions

The split hand gains a new layer of orchestration, the snapping rolls push into new speeds, and the ghost notes take on a left-hand dimension that transforms the feel of the whole instrument.

Split hand pyramid phrase 12+16 finger rolls Ghost notes L–L Compositions Steady foot bell path Hands independence
2

32nd Note Snapping, Deeper Split Hand & New Independence

32nd note snapping builds · split hand 16ths · ghost notes groups L–L · foot bell · hands independence

The 32nd note snapping vocabulary finds its place in the repertoire, the split hand goes deeper into subdivision and colour, and a new form of hands independence emerges — each hand playing its own musical role simultaneously.

32nd note snapping — 1–2–3–4 Split hand pyramid — long version Ghost notes — groups L–L Compositions Foot bell path Hands independence
Level V · Coming Soon

The
Samurai.

32nd note snapping and split hand combine in the same phrase. Ghost notes take on a left-hand snap dimension. Everything learned so far begins to converge into a single, unified voice.

By the end of Level V Stage 1 you will be able to

  • Combine 32nd note snapping and split hand within the same rhythmic phrase
  • Play traditional rhythms with left-hand snap ghost notes
  • Command the split hand pyramid phrase as a musical statement
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In production
1

Convergence — Snapping, Splits & the Pyramid

32nd snapping in rhythms · snaps+splits combined · L snap ghost notes · split hand pyramid · compositions

32nd note snapping and split hand merge into the same phrase. Ghost notes take on a left-hand snap layer. The split hand pyramid phrase arrives as a complete musical statement. Everything converges.

32nd snapping in rhythms Ghost notes — L snap Split hand + orchestrations Compositions Foot bell path Hands independence
2

Snaps+Splits, 16th Split Hand & Triplets

Snaps+splits 32nds · split hand 2 groups 16ths · snapping triplets · independence · foot bell

The snaps+splits combination reaches its full form — two techniques in one phrase. The split hand deepens into 16th note orchestrations. Snapping triplets open a new rhythmic dimension entirely.

Snaps + splits — 32nds Split hand — 2 groups 16ths Ghost notes — final chapter Snapping triplets Compositions Foot bell path Hands independence
Level VI · Coming Soon

Level
VI.

Traditional rhythms at 16th note density over the foot bell. Triplet snapping expands into hand-to-hand movement. Double splits and 5-beat variations push the technique into new structural territory.

By the end of Level VI Stage 1 you will be able to

  • Play the full traditional rhythm repertoire as 16th notes over foot bell
  • Use snapping triplets hand-to-hand as a musical phrase ending
  • Command double splits and 5-beat split hand variations
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In production
1

16th Notes, Double Splits & Triplet Snapping

Foot bell 16ths · triplet snapping H–H · double splits · 5-beat split hand · compositions

The foot bell path reaches full rhythmic density. Snapping triplets move hand-to-hand. Split hand variations expand into 5-beat structures and double splits — new shapes for the technique.

Foot bell — rhythms as 16ths Snapping triplets H–H ✦ new Split hand — 5 beats Double splits ✦ new Rhythms + snap triplets Compositions Hands independence
2

Triplets, 6/8 & Double Splits Deepen

Foot bell triplets · snapping triplets 2 groups · 6/8 framework · split hand stamina · double splits 2 groups

Triplets deepen in every direction — foot bell, snapping, and a new 6/8 framework. The double splits vocabulary expands into 2-group phrases. Split hand stamina becomes a practice in itself.

Foot bell — triplets Snapping triplets — 2 groups 6/8 — 3 groups of 4 Split hand stamina Double splits — 2 groups Compositions Hands independence
Level VII · Coming Soon

Level
VII.

The full snapping triplet vocabulary merges with the traditional repertoire. A 6/8 left hand solo emerges. Split hand triplets — a new technique — appear for the first time.

By the end of Level VII you will be able to

  • Play the full traditional repertoire at 16th note density using snapping triplets
  • Weave split hand triplets into phrases and traditional rhythm endings
  • Hold a solid quarter note foot bell while the hands play in triplets
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In production
1

Snapping Triplets Applied, 6/8 Solo & Split Hand Triplets

Triplets across the repertoire · 6/8 solo · orchestrated double splits · split hand triplets

Snapping triplets are now woven through the entire traditional repertoire. Double splits arrive fully orchestrated. And a new technique is introduced: split hand triplets — the two vocabularies meet for the first time.

Snapping triplets — full repertoire 6/8 left hand solo Double splits — orchestrated Rhythms + double splits orchestrated Split hand triplets ✦ new Compositions Foot bell — triplets 2 groups
2

Triplets to the Strong Hand, Split Hand Triplets in Phrases

Triplets cycling to strong hand · split hand triplets in phrases · double splits 2 groups · foot bell triplets

Split hand triplets move into full phrases and traditional rhythm endings. Snapping triplets learn to resolve on the strong hand. The foot bell holds a solid quarter note pulse while the hands navigate the full triplet repertoire.

Snapping triplets — strong hand Double splits — 2 groups orchestrated Numbers → split hand triplets Rhythms + split hand triplets Compositions Hands independence Foot bell — rhythms as triplets
Level VIII · Coming Soon

Level
VIII.

Ghost notes and split hand triplets merge into a single voice. The foot holds a solid pulse while the hands move freely through every subdivision. The vocabulary becomes the music.

By the end of Level VIII you will be able to

  • Play traditional rhythms where every ghost note is a snapping triplet or split hand triplet
  • Command double splits on the edge of the drum and split hand triplets with full orchestration
  • Navigate snapping triplets in 5-beat structures and shifting subdivisions over the foot bell
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In production
1

Strong Hand Accents, Ghost Note Integration & Subdivision Shifting

Snapping triplets strong hand · double splits at 16th density · ghost notes as split hand triplets · subdivision shifting

Every ghost note becomes a split hand triplet — two vocabularies fused into one gesture. Double splits take over the full repertoire at 16th note density. The foot bell holds steady through 8th notes, triplets, and 16th notes, all in one phrase.

Snapping triplets — 2 groups, strong hand Double splits — rhythms as 16ths Split hand triplets — 2 groups Ghost notes → split hand triplets Compositions Hands independence Foot bell — shifting subdivisions
2

Ghost Notes as Snapping Triplets, Edge Double Splits & 5-Beat Variations

Snapping triplets absorb the ghost note layer · double splits on the edge · split hand triplets orchestrated · 5-beat triplet variations

Now every ghost note in the traditional repertoire becomes a snapping triplet. Double splits move to the edge of the drum. Split hand triplets arrive fully orchestrated. Snapping triplets venture into 5-beat structures — the vocabulary keeps expanding.

Ghost notes → snapping triplets Double splits — edge of drum Split hand triplets — orchestrated Snapping triplets — 5 beats Compositions Hands independence Foot bell — 2 groups, shifting subdivisions
Level IX · Coming Soon

Level
IX.

A new stroke enters: the double stroke roll. Snapping triplets and split hand triplets fuse into a single phrase. The vocabulary of the instrument keeps deepening.

By the end of Level IX you will be able to

  • Play the full traditional repertoire with split hand triplets and begin the double stroke roll path
  • Execute the split hand triplets pyramid phrase — short and long version
  • Hold a malfuf foot bell ostinato while playing freely with the hands
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In production
1

Double Stroke Roll, 7-Beat Triplets & Snapping + Split Hand Fusion

Double tak ✦ new · 7-beat triplet variations · snapping + split hand triplets fused · foot bell across subdivisions

A new stroke arrives — the double stroke roll — with its own golden exercise. Triplet variations reach into 7-beat structures. And for the first time, snapping triplets and split hand triplets combine into a single phrase, two vocabularies becoming one.

Double tak ✦ new Split hand triplets — 2 groups orchestrated Triplet variations — 7 beats Snapping + split hand triplets fused Compositions Hands independence Foot bell — rhythms, shifting subdivisions
2

Traditional Rhythms with Split Hand Triplets, Pyramid Phrase & Double Stroke Roll Numbers

Full repertoire with split hand triplets · pyramid phrase · double stroke roll numbers · malfuf foot bell · 7/8 independence

The traditional repertoire is now fully playable with split hand triplets. The pyramid phrase arrives for this technique — short and long. The double stroke roll moves into hand-to-hand number sequences. The foot bell learns to hold a malfuf ostinato.

Rhythms with split hand triplets Split hand triplets — pyramid phrase Double tak — numbers H–H All triplet variations — 5 beats Compositions Hands independence — 7/8 Foot bell — malfuf ostinato
Level X · Coming Soon

Level
X.

A new sticking pattern enters the drum: the paradiddle. The double stroke roll grows into full phrases. Stamina is built across the entire split hand vocabulary — simple and triplet together.

By the end of Level X you will be able to

  • Modulate freely between subdivisions in a single phrase over a steady pulse
  • Fuse double splits and split hand triplets into a single two-group phrase
  • Compose and perform an original solo — and receive personal feedback from Yshai
Notify me when ready
In production
1

The Paradiddle, Double Stroke Roll Numbers & Combined Stamina

Paradiddle ✦ new · double stroke roll 2 groups H–H · split hand triplets stamina · combined stamina exercise

The paradiddle arrives — a new sticking pattern that opens a different dimension of hand alternation on the drum. The double stroke roll vocabulary deepens into two-group phrases. And a single stamina exercise draws together everything the split hand can do.

Paradiddle ✦ new Double tak — numbers 2 groups H–H Split hand triplets — stamina Split hand + split hand triplets — combined stamina Rhythms + break + paradiddle Compositions Foot bell — malfuf doubling variations
2

Rhythmic Modulation, Route Convergence & Your Solo

Subdivision modulation · double splits + split hand triplets fused · paradiddle over malfuf · capstone solo

The final stage. Double splits and split hand triplets — two routes built across years of work — meet in a single phrase. You learn to modulate between subdivisions at will. Then you compose your own solo and send it to Yshai for personal feedback.

Double tak + snapping triplets compared Paradiddle over malfuf Rhythmic modulation ✦ capstone Double splits + split hand triplets fused Compositions Compose your solo — personal feedback Foot bell — malfuf polyrhythm
The Journey Ahead

Levels II through Samurai

Complete Level I to unlock the path forward. Each level builds directly on the last — there are no shortcuts, and none are needed.

II

The Unfolding

Coordination, dynamics, phrasing, fills and the full musical vocabulary of lapstyle frame drum.

III

The Deepening

Improvisation, complex compositions, speed, and expressive depth. Playing with intention at every level.

IV

The Becoming

Full artistic voice, independence, and deep musical expression. Your own language on the instrument.

⚔

Samurai

Complete mastery of the instrument and the system. Nothing left out. The full Yshai Afterman method.

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