São Paulo – The musician and teacher Messer Di Carlo is teaching a course in Arab rhythms on February 20 in the Brazilian federal capital Brasília. The main rhythms covered will be the maksum, the said, the masmoudi, the muhajjar and the zarafat, according to Di Carlo himself. Instruments will include the Egyptian tabla, also known as the darbuka, the cajon, of Afro-Peruvian origin, and the djembe, which originated in Africa.
Although the latter two aren’t Arab instruments, they will be used to play Arab rhythms using Arab techniques. Di Carlo explains that the maksum and said are popular rhythms, while the masmoudi is somewhat more ‘sinuous,’ and the muhajjar and zarafat are a combination of the masmoudi and other styles.
The class will last two hours. The first part will be a theory-based overview of the history of the rhythms and instruments, but focusing primarily on techniques. The second part will be hands-on section where students will play the rhythms. “Everyone will have a drum in their hands,” the teacher says.
According to Di Carlo, his students are mostly female dancers planning to apply the knowledge from the lessons in their dancing. The course will take place at Studio Yallah and costs BRL 80.
Di Carlo has lived in Brasília since his childhood, but was born in Mato Grosso state capital Cuiabá.. Currently pursuing a Law degree, he is a professional musician and has played since he was a kid. Messer Di Carlo plays solo and group concerts and teaches privately and at schools, including Studio Yallah and Instituto Alicerca dos Tambores. He has played in the band Tuareg and is now a member of the Derbatuke group.
Course on Arab Rhythms
February 20, 2016
Time: 4pm
Studio Yallah
CLN 403 – Norte – Brasília
Price: BRL 80
Information and enrolment: (55 61) 9133-0613 or messerdicarlo@gmail.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
