Online Riqq Lessons

The Instrument

About the riqq

The riqq — also spelled riq or req — is the classical tambourine of Arabic music: a small, single-headed frame drum, traditionally around twenty centimetres across, ringed with pairs of brass jingles. For centuries it has been the timekeeper of the takht, the classical Arabic ensemble. A great riqq player doesn't merely keep time — they hold the entire group's rhythm, dynamics, and momentum in their hands.

Despite its size, the riqq is one of the most demanding instruments in Middle Eastern percussion. The player must draw a deep doum and crisp tak from the skin while simultaneously commanding the jingles — shaking them, fingering individual pairs, or silencing them entirely — often all within a single bar.

The Method

Three pillars. One crown.

The Conservatory's riqq 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.

I Time

Knowing the rhythmic cycle intimately. The more deeply you inhabit a groove, the more freely you play inside it.

II Language

Technique, grouping, phrasing, composition — not patterns to copy, but tools to create with.

III Expression

Tension and release, dynamics, phrasing — the branches that make playing alive rather than correct.

The Curriculum

What you study

Hand technique

Basic strokes, 4-, 8-, and 12-finger rolls, shaking sequences, triplet rolls, and the techniques built on these.

Rhythmic cycles & time

Learning to feel at home in any time signature, any groove — from familiar 4/4 to asymmetric Turkish and Mediterranean cycles.

Classical Arabic repertoire

Rhythms from the Arabic classical tradition, plus original compositions written over them — the way real musicians learn music: through pieces, not patterns.

Phrasing & language

Not patterns to copy, but a vocabulary to think in. The riqq becomes an extension of how you hear and speak musically.

Improvisation & ornamentation

The independence to make music genuinely your own — to invent, decorate, and respond inside any musical setting.

Sound, time, & expression

The deeper relationship between technique and feeling — the difference between playing correctly and playing alive.

Conservatory students gathered together at the annual in-person seminar

More than lessons

You join a community, not a course

Studying riqq here means more than a weekly class. You become part of a worldwide community of dedicated students — from twenty-five countries and counting — with a calendar of shared events that runs alongside the regular curriculum, and a private Community Portal where every lesson is archived with notation, demonstration videos, and progress tracking.

The Conservatory hosts 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.

Weekly

Live group classes 90 minutes on Zoom, taught by Yshai

Monthly

Masterclass Series Guest masters from the global percussion world

Annual

In-person Seminar A week of music, meals, and shared practice

Inside the portal

Every lesson, archived. Every class, at your fingertips.

The Community Portal is the private hub where every student lives between sessions — recorded lessons with notation PDFs, a library of guest masterclasses, an interactive rhythm library and metronome for practice, and a calendar of upcoming events.

Events feed

A live calendar of upcoming masterclasses, open mic nights, and seminars — built into the portal.

The lesson player showing the video, notation, and lesson notes for a recorded session

Lesson library

Every recorded session with notation PDFs, demonstration videos, and lesson notes — organised by group and number.

The masterclass library grid with sessions from world-class guest teachers

Masterclass series

An archive of guest masterclasses with world-class teachers from across the global percussion world.

Practice room

An interactive rhythm library and metronome for practice between lessons — with a tool to build your own.

Students

What students say

Students who arrive having studied riqq elsewhere often describe the same thing — that they are, in a real sense, starting again. Not for lack of effort, but because the depth, structure, and personal guidance here take them somewhere they didn't know they could go.

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

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

More testimonials →

Questions

Riqq lessons — common questions

Is the riqq the same as a tambourine?

The riqq is the classical Arabic tambourine — built and played very differently from the Western pop tambourine. It has a tunable single head, heavier paired brass jingles, and a refined finger technique that produces deep bass tones, sharp accents, and intricate jingle patterns far beyond simple shaking.

Do I need my own riqq, and should it have a fish-skin or synthetic head?

Yes, you'll need your own riqq from the start. A modern tunable riqq with a synthetic head is the most practical choice for most students — it's stable across humidity and climates — while traditional fish-skin riqqs offer a warmer tone but need more care. We're happy to advise before you buy.

I'm a beginner — can I join the groups?

Yes, absolutely. Since Yshai teaches a method built one step upon the other, everyone needs to start with the foundations. The fingerings studied in lesson 2 are used extensively in the most advanced compositions. All levels are welcome.

Can I join if I can't attend the live lessons?

Yes. After every lesson Yshai sends all students a Google folder with the full video recording, lesson summary, notation sheets, and short demonstration videos. Many students follow the programme entirely through the recordings.

How long is the commitment?

Commitment is one month at a time. Each month you decide whether to continue or stop. It's not a fixed course — it's an ongoing studying group. Groups normally run for 12–24 months depending on the group's momentum.

How do I get feedback on my progress?

Every two weeks students are invited to send a video for private feedback. That is Yshai's way of staying close to each student's individual evolution, even within a group setting.

Do I need to read Western notation?

No. Yshai uses custom notations that are super simple and immediately readable by anyone, regardless of their music theory background.

Can I attend more than one group?

Yes. Some students attend 2–3 groups simultaneously. As long as you have enough time to practice each instrument properly, you're free to choose how many groups to join.

I'm an advanced player — can I join partway through?

New students cannot join an existing group midway through. Yshai teaches a specific body of knowledge with its own language, notation, and mindset that develops from lesson one. New groups open in September each year.

Can I start immediately without waiting for September?

Yes — many students choose to study lesson recordings from the beginning and follow the programme at their own pace without attending live. This is a great option for those who can't wait for the next group opening, or who prefer self-paced study.

Do you offer reduced rates?

A small number of reduced-rate placements are offered each cycle to dedicated students living in countries with significantly different economic conditions, or facing exceptional personal circumstances. These require a 3-month commitment instead of 1 and are decided case-by-case. Reach out privately through the contact form and Yshai will discuss it with you directly.

When do new groups start?

Most groups start in September each year. Some start in January. Follow Yshai on Instagram to stay updated, and register your interest early through the contact form so you're on the list.

What do I need to take part?

You need your instrument, a foot bell (used in all groups), a reliable internet connection for Zoom, and the dedication to practice between lessons. Yshai can advise on instrument choice if needed.