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World Percussion Fundamentals

The foundation course. Cajon, djembe, frame drums, darbuka, riq, udu, tombak, congas, bongos and calabash — taught as one connected family of drums rather than a dozen isolated instruments.

David Kuckhermann with frame drum, tambourine, udu and congas

Course Overview

Twelve instruments, one shared language of rhythm — 16 modules and 295 video lessons.

If you want to learn...

  • core technique that transfers across every hand drum
  • cajon and cajon kit, with jingle stick and cabasa
  • frame drum in three positions — freehand, lapstyle and upright
  • djembe, darbuka, riq, udu, tombak, calabash, congas and bongos
  • ghost notes, finger rolls, snaps and floating hand
  • essential rhythms from the Middle East, Africa, Iran and Cuba
  • jam tracks to play along with, solo and in ensemble

Then this course is perfect for you!

"The best instructional video I have ever seen""The best instructional video I have ever seen""The best instructional video I have ever seen""The best instructional video I have ever seen""The best instructional video I have ever seen"

Full Name

Description

Course Curriculum

17 modules · 310 video lessons · 12 instruments · ongoing access

1. Introduction1 lesson

Welcome to World Percussion Fundamentals

2. Universal Percussion Concepts16 lessons

Introduction 2
Basic Rhythm Structure 2
Open vs Closed Strokes 1
Ghost Notes 1
Hand Patterns 3
Movement Ergonomics 4
Transferring Rhythms Between Instruments 1
Finger Roll 2

3. Cajon21 lessons

Introduction and Basics 5
Ghost Notes 5
Middle Eastern Rhythms 2
Finger Roll and Double Strokes 6
More Rhythms 2
Outro 1

4. Cajon Kit16 lessons

Introduction and Basics 6
Hand-to-Hand Jingles 4
Cajon Cabasa 6

5. Djembe23 lessons

Introduction and Basics 4
Common Hand Drum Grooves 11
Fingerstyle Grooves 6
Outro 2

6. Frame Drum Freehand17 lessons

Introduction and Basics 2
Basic Exercises 3
Ghost Notes 2
Middle Eastern Rhythms 4
Finger Roll 2
More Rhythms 3
Outro 1

7. Frame Drum Lapstyle22 lessons

Introduction and Basics 7
Ghost Notes 4
Finger Snapping 8
Brushing Technique 2
Outro 1

8. Frame Drum Upright21 lessons

Introduction and Basics 7
Middle Eastern Rhythms 6
Finger Roll 2
More Rhythms 4
Outro 2

9. Darbuka17 lessons

Introduction and Basics 5
Middle Eastern Rhythms 5
Finger Roll 5
Bass Modulation 1
Outro 1

10. Riq19 lessons

Introduction and Basics 6
Middle Eastern Rhythms 4
Jingle Techniques 2
Soft Position Basics 2
Soft Position Rhythms 4
Outro 1

11. Calabash20 lessons

Introduction and Basics 6
Backbeat Grooves - Developing Ghost Notes 6
Fingerstyle Techniques 8

12. Udu22 lessons

Introduction and Basics 6
Ghost Notes 2
Middle Eastern Rhythms 8
Finger Roll 4
Outro 2

13. Tombak26 lessons

Introduction and Basics 4
Pelang - Finger Snapping 7
The Riz - 9 Finger Roll 10
Iranian Rhythms 4
Outro 1

14. Congas26 lessons

Introduction and Basics 7
Conga Rhythms 5
Bembe - 6/8 Variations 4
Floating Hand and Tumbao 5
More Conga Rhythms 5

15. Bongos20 lessons

Introduction and Basics 7
Finger Roll 4
Martillo - The Iconic Bongo Rhythm 7
Outro 2

16. Pandeiro10 lessons

Introduction 3
Basic Technique 6
Samba 1

17. Jam Tracks13 lessons

Single Instrument Jam Tracks 7
Ensemble Jam Tracks 6

Get Started Now

Individual Course

€199 €149

Pay once for ongoing course access

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€29 €19 /month

Unlimited courses & community access — billed quarterly

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1. Best for Students who want to work with one specific course Students who want to explore the world of percussion and access the full learning library
2. Access Ongoing access to the purchased course. Access to all included courses on the platform while subscribed.
3. Learning Path One Self-contained course, good for focused study. Improve from level to level and explore across instruments, rhythms, techniques, and musical styles.
4. Flexibility Simple one-time purchase Focus on one path or switch between instruments whenever inspiration strikes.
5. Value Good value if you only ever want one course. Best value if you want more than one course, deeper progression, flexibility and access to future additions.
6. Community Every course purchase comes with 12 months of community access. Ongoing community access for the duration of the subscription.
7. Our recommendation: A good choice if you only want one very specific course. Recommended for most students — especially if you want to grow steadily on one instrument and have the freedom to explore more.
1. Benefit goes here As a learner, you will be guided from zero to hero step by step
2. Benefit goes here Our courses feature on-screen notations and come with notation booklets
3. Benefit goes here Connect with David and fellow students in our community
4. Benefit goes here Our teachers guide you on a wide variety of instruments: Cajon, Frame Drums, Darbuka, Tonbak, Congas, Djembe, Pandeiro, Udu and more
5. Benefit goes here Our teachers guide you on a wide variety of instruments: Cajon, Frame Drums, Darbuka, Tonbak, Congas, Djembe, Pandeiro, Udu and more
6. Benefit goes here Our teachers have spent decades studying traditional percussion styles and teaching students worldwide—on stage, in classrooms, and online.
1. Benefit goes here As a learner, you will be guided from zero to hero step by step
2. Benefit goes here Our courses feature on-screen notations and come with notation booklets
3. Benefit goes here Connect with David and fellow students in our community
4. Benefit goes here Our teachers guide you on a wide variety of instruments: Cajon, Frame Drums, Darbuka, Tonbak, Congas, Djembe, Pandeiro, Udu and more
5. Benefit goes here Our teachers guide you on a wide variety of instruments: Cajon, Frame Drums, Darbuka, Tonbak, Congas, Djembe, Pandeiro, Udu and more
6. Benefit goes here Our teachers have spent decades studying traditional percussion styles and teaching students worldwide—on stage, in classrooms, and online.

Your Instructor

David Kuckhermann is a Grammy-nominated percussionist, educator, and founder of World Percussion Academy and Handpan Dojo.

For over 30 years, he has taught students around the world through live workshops, masterclasses, and online courses, helping countless students build a deeper connection with rhythm and percussion.

His musical journey includes studies with renowned teachers such as Glen Velez, Behnam Samani, Ramesh Shotham, and Ustad Fayaz Khan, as well as international performances with artists including Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Pera Ensemble, and Voix de Bulgares.

In his teaching, David combines deep knowledge of many percussion traditions with clear, structured methods and his own creative concepts — making world percussion accessible for beginners and advanced players alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about learning hand drumming online with us — from djembe and congas to darbuka, cajón, frame drums, and beyond.

Getting Started

Online Learning Advantages

Course Structure and Content

Feedback and Community

Technical and Practical Concerns

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