With exquisite drumming skills focused on technique, repertoire and confidence.
With inspiration & support from teachers & students, share your drumming gifts at home and beyond.
Experience the creativity, passion, devotion and health benefits of drumming!
You want to LEARN TO PLAY THE FRAME DRUM, but lack inspirationYou dream of DRUMMING WITH OTHERS, but don’t have the confidenceYou need to boost your ENERGY and HEALTH, but don’t know how.You would love to EXPRESS YOURSELF CREATIVELY, but don’t have the skills.If you answered ‘YES’ to at least ONE of the above, then this is the course for YOU!
“I consider Marla to be the one of the very top percussion performers in the US of today. She is well known in the community for her virtuosity and artful skill with hand drums.”
~ Glen Velez, 4-time Grammy-winning percussionist & Marla's mentor
STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING
Proven teaching method with professional musician and educator of 25+ years. Passionate, dedicated and friendly, Marla inspires focus, progress and results, whether or not you currently own a drum, whether or not you’ve ever picked a drum before!
A COURSE TAILORED TO YOU
This 4 month, 4 module comprehensive training program is designed for the absolute beginner and those with basic playing experience (less than a year).
PRACTICAL SKILLS
With Frame Drum 101, you will gain ALL you need (techniques, rhythms, compositions & improvisation) to drum in a circle, at a family gathering, in your work or simply for your own joy.
SKILLS FOR LIFE
During our journey together, you will be immersed in the incredible, rich world of frame drumming and rhythm, releasing stuck emotions and experiencing a re-tuning of your body, mind, heart and soul.
COMMUNITY LOVE
There is always strength in numbers... join Marla and her Academy students to be guided, get support, share the challenges and triumphs.
“Marla is a brilliant musician and teacher, extraordinarily generous of her time and encouragement. I highly recommend The Frame Drum Academy.”
~ Linda Schneider, Founder, Heartland Rhythms,
Special Academy lick-off call with Marla!
Over 275 video tutorials!
Seven inspiring BONUS trainings!
Four Live Q&A calls & group support with Marla
Weekly video downloads and PDF's
Fundamental playing strokes in the 3 playing styles (lap, upright and free-hand)
Art and heart of rhythm (Indian rhythm theory & solkattu)
Groovin’ drum compositions reflecting techniques learned
Special Academy kick-off call with Marla
Traditional world & original rhythms
Improvisation & composing tips
Essential musicianship skills
PLUS:
LIFETIME access to all videos/materials
LEARN in your own time, on any device
A NEW, CONFIDENT, MUSICAL and PASSIONATE you!
Our students are people just like YOU:
Music lovers, parents, nurses, teachers, therapists, counsellors, healers, sacred circle leaders and human
beings.
Our graduates are now leading workshops, facilitating drum circles, drumming in their community, incorporating drumming into their professional work, playing in bands, composing their own music, healing themselves and
others and
conquering the world, ONE beat at a time…
Basic playing strokes (Doum,Tek,Ka,Pa,Brush)Persian ‘Reiss Roll’ techniques & exercises8-beat finger roll techniques & exercises Practice rhythms Groovin’ composition using techniques learnedBasic playing strokes (Doum,Tek,Ka,Pa,Brush)Single snapping techniques & exercises Double snapping techniques & exercises4-Finger “Jazz Roll” techniques & exercises Practice rhythmsGroovin’ composition using techniques learnedBasic playing strokes (Doum,Tek,Ka,Pa,Brush)Single snapping techniques & exercises Double snapping techniques & exercises4-Finger “Jazz Roll” techniques & exercises Practice rhythmsGroovin’ composition using techniques learnedBasic playing strokes (Doum,Tek,Ka,Pa)Alternate ‘Pa’ stroke technique & exercises4-finger ‘Jazz roll’ technique & exercisesPractice rhythmsGroovin’ composition using techniques learnedIn-depth exploration of rhythmIntro to North and South Indian rhythm systemsSolkattu South Indian vocal percussion & exercisesDrumming, counting and reciting practicesImprovising & composing exercises in 4, 5, and 7 beat time-cycles (fun!)In-depth exploration of rhythmIntro to North and South Indian rhythm systemsSolkattu South Indian vocal percussion & exercisesDrumming, counting and reciting practicesImprovising & composing exercises in 4, 5, and 7 beat time-cycles (fun!)Email Marla with any questions you have about your learning and she will answer you personally LIVE. Dates and details here.
Boost your learning with this magical quartet of live and replay Masterclasses:
Glen Velez ~ Grammy-winning frame drummer (replay)Christine Stevens ~ Acclaimed music therapist (replay)Jim Santi Owen ~ Indian drumming specialist (replay)Patrick Cooperman ~ Cooperman Frame Drums (live)This action-packed 9-video training series covers ALL your music essentials to get you drumming beyond your dreams!
Enjoy featured slides from Layne Redmond’s acclaimed book on the ancient feminine frame drum lineage*.
*Material courtesy of Layne Redmond + Golden Seed Production
This essential 'vault' features traditional & original rhythms to keep you inspired and groovin’ for a lifetime!
This body-and-soul-boosting bonus features a vast drumming and wellness learning library, including a gentle stretch class made specially for our students!
Exclusive access to The Frame Drum Academy’s private Facebook group ~ stay supported, inspired, motivated and connected 24/7.
“Marla has created a wonderful curriculum that is easy for a beginner to follow. Well worth the investment! I took both 101 and 202 and feel confident to improvise, teach, and play with others.”
~ Susan Freeman, Student
Exude confidence in the 3 frame drum playing styles.Fill your ‘rhythm toolbox’ with traditional Middle Eastern, North African, Persian, Indian & original rhythms.Create fun drum compositions to play by yourself or share with others!Attain a deeper understanding of rhythm (using metronome, time signatures, meters and natural inspirations).Improvise and compose freely, with creative zest.Become a one woman/one man band with frame drum, foot-bells and voice!Gain mentorship, inspiration & support to drum beyond your dreams.Build the repertoire to reach drum goals, such as teaching and performing.Develop the skills and confidence to enjoy drumming anytime, anywhere!Learn therapeutic, devotional drumming practices for meditation & healing.Enjoy an (easy) yoga stretch practice made just for our Academy students.Discover community drumming to boost your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.Refresh yourself with lifelong access to the full program.Stay connected with lifetime membership to our private facebook group.Receive tips and tricks to keep your motivation and joy sky-high!“The Frame Drum Academy has changed my life! I’m already taking on a few students of my own and leading women’s circles.”
~ Jose Dowe, Student
Is this ancient art a deep calling for you?
Do you desire to learn as much as possible?
Would you like to perform, teach or heal with the frame drum?
Then we have the PERFECT option for you!
Check out our Frame Drum 101 & Frame Drum 202 EXCLUSIVE BUNDLE where you
can enjoy BOTH
programs at an amazing DISCOUNTED rate!
I am confident that this program will help you gain the knowledge and skills to start you on your drumming journey...
which is why I’m offering a risk-free, money-back GUARANTEE.
Follow our program for 14 days.
If you are not enjoying the grooves, contact me to receive a full refund.
So, go ahead and give drumming a try, it just may transform your life!
“Marla believes in her students so much that we start to believe in ourselves. She does not simply teach the art of frame drumming, she teaches the art of life!”
~ Meagan Beishline, Student
“With her background and dedication, Marla makes a significant contribution to world music and frame drumming.”
~ John Bergamo, Percussion Director CalArts
Every student who completes all the ‘Share the Drum’ graduation challenge (explained in the program) will be entered into our raffle for the chance to win a
* There is only one lucky winner!
The winner will be announced November 1, 2020 (after the program ends)
May not be exchanged for another type of Cooperman Drum.
What size drum is best for this course?
—While all are fine, I recommend a 16” drum to begin with, as it is the perfect size for comfortable playing in all 3 playing styles.
Where can I buy a good frame drum?
—Cooperman Drums is our sponsor and ALL my students receive a 10% DISCOUNT on a Cooperman drum! (Discount code given when you sign up.) Other drum brands are fine as well (ie Remo, Meinl etc.)
I’m late to the party! Can I buy a good frame drum in a hurry?
—Yes! There are plenty of options (like Remo 16”) with OVERNIGHT delivery on Amazon for less than $50!
Hello, I'm Marla… a Grammy-nominated musician and one of the few female frame drum specialists in the world today.
Having studied music since I was three years old, music is my first love and greatest passion! I hold a BFA & MFA in Percussion and have been fortunate to study with some of the most world-renowned, inspiring teachers and leading masters in frame drum, Indian and West African drumming.
Delighted to pass on what I’ve learned, I’ve now been teaching for over 25 years. I have seen, first-hand, the amazing power of music to help heal and bring joy. Over 15 years ago, I first started helping students online, when that kind of learning was a strange new world.
The Frame Drum Academy online is my dream child. Born in 2015, we currently have hundreds of happy students and are growing by the day!
DEEP Gratitude to my teachers, without whom I would not be where I am today!
