Darbuka Workshop with Hakan Kaya: Turkish Two-Hand Technique
Istanbul darbuka teacher Hakan Kaya led a two-day workshop at Tapadum on Turkish split-hand technique, gypsy rhythms, and the region's most iconic time signatures.
On August 30–31, 2025, we hosted a two-day darbuka workshop with Hakan Kaya, an Istanbul-based teacher known for his work spreading the Turkish split-hand (“iki el”) technique to students worldwide.
The program covered the fundamentals of split-hand darbuka technique, Romani (gypsy) rhythms played on the instrument, the region’s best-known time signatures (9/8, 7/8, and others), rhythm combinations, and focused exercises on timing and the instrument’s higher-pitched tones — suited to both beginners and advanced percussionists.
Six people joined the workshop at Tapadum Ethnic Music Store, with eighteen more following along online.