Yousif Sheronick: Writing For World Percussion

An interactive session from Yousif’s studio where he will answer questions about, and demonstrate, various world percussion instruments.

What The Workshop Will Include

• The guidelines when writing for world percussion.
• Playing techniques on Dumbek, Tar and Riq.
• Middle Eastern Rhythms – how they are played and embellished.
• Iqa’at (traditional Middle Eastern Rhythms)
• See excerpts from works written for the duoJalal.
• See written examples of compositions written for Yousif.
• Hear Yousif demonstrate one of his own compositions.

Key Questions/Topics Addressed During Workshop:

• Which instruments work well together?
• Notation: What notation works best for most players?
• How little, or how much, should I write for world percussion?
• How many different sounds should I write for?
• Which instruments sound culturally specific and which are more general?
• What should I avoid when writing for these instruments?