Live group classes in darbuka — the goblet drum at the rhythmic heart of Middle Eastern music — with students from twenty-five countries. Yshai Afterman has been teaching percussion online since 2010, sixteen years of online teaching.
Welcome
A short welcome — the instruments, the method, the student portal, and the community you’d be joining this September.
About 90 seconds · sound on
“Online darbuka lessons” here doesn't mean occasional tips or isolated classes. It refers to a structured, long-term process: a comprehensive method for building the language of rhythm itself — layer by layer, over months — guided through weekly live sessions with a small, dedicated group of students from around the world.
Hear It Live
A darbuka solo from a live session — real music, not a studio demo. This is the sound and the spirit you’d be studying toward.
From a live performance · sound on
The Method
The Conservatory's darbuka program is a complete arc — from foundations to musicianship — unfolding layer by layer, every concept built on the one before, through a body of original compositions written specifically for this method. It rests on three pillars — Time, Language, and Expression — that together form a complete musical understanding.
The Curriculum
More than lessons
Studying the darbuka here means more than a weekly class. You become part of a worldwide community of dedicated students — from twenty-five countries and counting — learning the same goblet-drum language together, with a calendar of shared events running alongside the curriculum.
That calendar includes an ongoing Masterclass Series with guest masters from the global percussion world, and an annual in-person Seminar where students gather to play, eat, and learn side by side.
Inside the portal
Between sessions, every darbuka student works inside the private Conservatory Portal — recorded lessons with notation PDFs, the guest-masterclass library, progress tracking, and an interactive rhythm library and metronome in the Practice Room.
Events feed
Lesson library
Masterclass series
Practice room
When I decided to deepen Middle East percussion — by far, Yshai is the best teacher I have ever had. He talks about the poetry of music and at the same time continuously crafts the tools of expression.
Giovanni Lo Cascio · Italy · Professional musician since 1981
Students
As a beginner of darbuka and an experienced conga player, I joined the Darbuka Group last year. Yshai creates a supportive, joyful, deeply enriching learning environment. His blend of traditional technique, cultural context, and personal warmth makes every lesson an exciting journey into the heart of music.Edgar Weitzel · Germany · Darbuka
Once in a lifetime, you may study with a master. Yshai is that master. His teaching goes far beyond technique — it transforms the way you hear, think about, and relate to music.Tamara Kolton · USA · Lapstyle & Upright Frame Drum
I started studying with Yshai years ago, when my knowledge of darbuka, frame drum and riqq were next to zero. His methods and compositions have allowed me to find my connection with these instruments like never before.Eugene Toh · Singapore · Darbuka, Frame Drum & Riqq
Yshai's system is extremely well structured, and he recognises exactly what each individual student needs — whether you're a beginner or advanced. It really was the best decision I made.Sybille Camenzind · Switzerland · Lapstyle & Darbuka
The full arc of the Method is normally about two years — from fundamentals to musicianship. But the choice of how long to study is yours. Some students stay one month, others continue for years. Each month you decide whether to continue.
Every class is recorded and posted to the student portal within hours. You can watch on your own schedule, with full access to sheet music, the practice room interface, and lesson summaries. Missing a live session is not a problem.
The monthly subscription begins on October 1 and bills $155 per month until you cancel. You can cancel at any time from your Stripe customer portal — access continues through the end of the paid month, no questions asked.
The darbuka group meets Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 PM (GMT+3), beginning September 2 — late afternoon to early evening Eastern Mediterranean time, practical for students across Europe, the Middle East, much of Asia, and the morning hours in the Americas. You’ll receive the Zoom link and details by email before the first session.
Yes. If you decide partway through that another of the four instruments calls to you more, the Conservatory can transfer your enrollment to a different group at the start of any month. Talk to Yshai directly.
Registration is open · September 2026
Billed monthly · Cancel anytime
Meets Wednesdays · 6:00–7:30 PM (GMT+3) · begins Sept 2
Everything included
The group is kept small. Secure your spot for September before it fills.
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