Learn advanced techniques & rhythms.
Gain new skills in composition, improv & theory.
Receive inspiration & support from our Frame Drum Family.
Discover the tools to share your drumming gifts with all.
Shine with the radiance & confidence that new abilities bring.
Experience the creativity, passion & healing of frame drum mastery!
DRUM ROLL PLEASE...
Congratulations. You've got all the basics down ~ well done ~ you are fantastic! !
Now, how do you move on from playing the same old grooves?
How do you stop yourself from losing momentum, motivation and inspiration?
We've got some good news: Marla is here to help YOU get to the next level and achieve your drumming dreams with her proven, successful course!
You want to ADVANCE your Frame Drum skills, but lack inspiration.You dream of PERFORMING, COMPOSING & TEACHING, but don't have the confidence/skills.You wish to SHARE YOUR DRUMMING GIFTS with the world, but don't know how.You want to dive depper into the HEALING benefits of drumming.***IMPORTANT NOTE: You should already be familiar with the basic strokes (doum, tak, pa) & some extended techniques (single/double snaps, 4 finger rolls). If not, please start with Frame Drum 101.
“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
A COURSE TAILORED TO YOU
This 4-module intensive program is designed for intermediate players with at least ONE year's experience*. Take your existing skill set, repertoire and confidence to the next level!
IS FRAME DRUM 101 RIGHT FOR YOU?
You should already be familiar with the basic playing strokes (doum, tak, ka and pa) and some extended techniques (single and double snapping, brushing). If not, please start with the essentials in Frame Drum 101
STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING
Proven teaching method from Grammy-nominated musician and educator with more than 25 years' experience.
Passionate, dedicated and friendly Marla inspires focus, progress and results. Follow the course online in your own time to achieve your drumming goals!
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Frame Drum 202 is packed with new & extended techniques, rhythms and creative tips to boost your play, improvisation, composition and teaching skills.
SKILLS FOR LIFE
You will be enabled to lead drum circles, teach, compose, record & perform, use the frame drum in your professional work or simply for your own joy!
FACEBOOK COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Join Marla and her Academy students to inspire and celebrate progress together. Be guided, 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 kick-off call with Marla
Over 275 video tutorials
Seven inspiring BONUS trainings!
Four Live Q&As with Marla & group support
Weekly video downloads with PDF's
Extended playing techinques in the 3 playing styles (lap, upright and free-hand)
Art & heart of rhythm (Indian rhythm theory, improvising, composing & solkattu) (Level 2)
Groovln' drum compositions reflecting techniques learned (Level 2)
Traditional world & original rhythms (Level 2)
Improvisation & composing tips (Level 2)
Essential musicianship skills (Level 2)
PLUS:
LIFETIME access to all videos/materials
LEARN in your own time, on any devicee
A NEW, CONFIDENT, MUSICAL and PASSIONATE you!
(*We have also included some basic
Solkattu and free-hand instructional videos from the Frame Drum 101 Program
to provide the necessary foundation for new students who are unfamiliar with the material.)
Our students are people just like YOU:
Musicians, teachers, therapists, coaches, healers, yoga teachers, nurses, 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…
SPECIAL BONUS VIDEO SERIES: Free Hand Style Basics from Frame Drum 1018-Beat Finger Roll Combination Patterns6-Beat Finger Roll Combination Patterns7-Beat Finger Roll Combination PatternsGroovin’ composition using techniques learnedNorth Indian split-hand “tete” techniques & exercisesCombining Patterns using "jazz rolls", split-hand technique and solkattu phrasing with footbells!Double snapping techniques & exercisesDouble, triple and quadruple snapping techniques & practice rhythmsGroovin’ composition using techniques learnedNorth Indian split-hand “tete” techniques & exercisesCombining Patterns using "jazz rolls", split-hand technique and solkattu phrasing with footbells!Double snapping techniques & exercisesDouble, triple and quadruple snapping techniques & practice rhythmsGroovin’ composition using techniques learned8-Beat finger roll techniques & practice rhythms6-Beat finger roll techniques & practice rhythmsCombining 6- & 8-Beat finger rolls in odd metered practice rhythmsGroovin’ composition using techniques learnedSPECIAL BONUS VIDEO SERIES: Intro to Solkattu (South Indian Vocal Percussion) from Frame Drum 101Intro to “Tihai” in Teentaal/16-Beat time cycle
Solkattu, improvising & Tihai in a 7-Beat time cycle with practice exercisesIntro to South Indian “Korvai’s”SPECIAL BONUS VIDEO SERIES: Intro to Solkattu (South Indian Vocal Percussion) from Frame Drum 101Intro to “Tihai” in Teentaal/16-Beat time cycle
Solkattu, improvising & Tihai in a 7-Beat time cycle with practice exercisesIntro to South Indian “Korvai’s”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 specially for our students!
Exclusive access to Frame Drum Academy’s private Facebook group ~ and 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
Gain a library of groovy, extended playing techinques in all three styles.A deeper understanding of poly-rhythms (voice, foot-bell & drum pattern combinations).Advanced flourishes and essential music theory, to aid your play & compositions.Essential up-level music skills, 202.A deeper understanding of rhythm (metronome, time, feel) .The ability to play, improvise & compose in ANY meter Mentorship, inspiration & support to realize your goals.Confidence, repertoire & a skillset beyond your dreams.A focus on teaching, leading and performing.The complete foundations 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.Lifetime membership & connection to our private facebook group .Receive tips and tricks to keep your motivation and joy sky-high!“Marla is world-renowned. A talented teacher & artist, she is anchored in beauty, love, and devotion! I highly recommend her.”
~ Christine Stevens, Author of Music Medicine, The Healing Drum Kit
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!
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!
