Daf

For All Ages and Skill Levels

Daf lessons are available for adults, teenagers, and children aged 7 and up, with options for both individual and group classes. Group classes are highly recommended, either on their own or alongside individual lessons, to improve listening skills and student motivation.

The basic course focuses on fundamental rhythm principles and techniques. By the end of this level, students will be proficient in reading written notes, mastering simple, compound, and odd meters, and familiar with key techniques such as Bam, Zir, Chap, Zanjir, and Yek Angoshti.

In the intermediate course, students will tackle more complex rhythms and techniques, explore various Maqams, and prepare for ensemble accompaniment. They will also develop skills in composing and improvising short pieces.

Advanced students are encouraged to cultivate personal expression and techniques in both solo and ensemble performances. Guidance is provided to refine skills and help students develop a distinctive musical identity.

Photo of Daf (Daff)

Teachers

  • Roshanak Rafani

    Accomplished Percussionist and Music Teacher

    Roshanak is a skilled percussionist and  music teacher who began her journey with the Daf at age 8. She later expanded her expertise to include Persian percussion instruments such as the Dayere and Tombak. Alongside private lessons in music theory, Roshanak studied classical percussion in Tehran while pursuing a degree in Social Sciences at the University of Tehran.

    Professional Experience

    Since 2014, Roshanak has taught Daf and Tombak in Iran and continued her teaching career in Germany. From 2018, she has studied classical percussion with Dominic Oelze at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin.

    Roshanak’s professional career started with a renowned theater in Tehran, where she performed in the percussion section. She has collaborated with prestigious orchestras including the Austro-Iranian Symphonic Orchestra (AISO), Tehran Cultural Orchestra, Nilper Orchestra, and Junge Philharmonie Berlin. In 2016, she founded the Tehran Percussion Ensemble, participating in music festivals across Iran. Her performances have spanned Iran, Armenia, Germany, and other countries, including Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Spain.

    At the Global Music Academy, Roshank offers lessons in Daf and Tombak lessons for students of all ages and music levels.

    Courses

    • Daf

    • Tombak

    Languages

    German, English, Farsi

  • Portrait of Yasser Bayat with a Tombak; teacher at the Global Music Academy, Berlin

    Yaser Bayat

    Composer and Music Teacher

    Yaser Bayat, a distinguished composer, musician, and music teacher from Iran, holds a master’s degree from Tehran University of Fine Arts, where he ranked second among his peers. He is proficient in various Iranian musical instruments such as kamanche, setar, tanbur, santur, tombak, daf.

    Teaching Experience

    Bayat has extensive experience as a lecturer at Tehran University of Fine Arts and the University of Applied Sciences, as well as in various music schools. Under the guidance of renowned mentors including Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Dariush Tala-i, Dariush Pirniakan, Akbar Shekarchi, and Bahman Radjabi, Bayat has honed his expertise in ethnomusicology and Middle Eastern rhythm, particularly focusing on the music of different regions of Iran.

    Scholarly Contributions

    His scholarly contributions include studies on Luristani Kamanche techniques, Turkmen music, and Iranian music in theatrical performances. He is also an author, with notable works such as “Darband” and “Tombak and Chemeye Khorushane Rhythms,” enriching the literature on percussion and musical rhythms. Bayat has collaborated as a composer and musician on various cultural programs aired on public television and radio in Iran.

    At the Global Music Academy, Yasser offers lessons in Setar, Daf, Tombak

    Courses

    • Daf

    • Kamancheh

    • Santur

    • Tombak

    • Setâr

    Languages

    German, Farsi

    Website

    https://www.yaser-bayat.com/