Erik Markovskii

I teach one-to-one online handpan, frame drum and darbuka (doumbek) lessons in English and Russian. I'm Erik Markovsky, a professional percussionist, multi-instrumentalist and composer with 15+ years of teaching experience and over 1,000 students taught. Complete beginners are welcome: no previous musical experience is needed.

Between lessons, video feedback can support your practice, and we can use a shared Google Doc for learning materials.

Handpan is a main focus of my teaching, while frame drum is my deepest specialization. I also teach daf, riq (riqq), djembe, cajón, jaw harp (Jew’s harp), and steel tongue drums (glucophone and RAV Vast), alongside other world percussion instruments. My approach draws on Middle Eastern, Persian, Central Asian and African traditions, alongside Indian rhythmic concepts and improvisation.

Each lesson is shaped around your instrument, level and musical goals. Beginners build a clear sound and a practical foundation; experienced musicians can explore advanced technique, odd meters, phrasing and their own musical language.

Start with a free 30-minute trial lesson. We get to know each other and discuss how lessons work. I give you exercises and practice materials so you can start practising independently, then we discuss continuing lessons.

To book, click “Book a Lesson,” choose your instrument (for example, Handpan), then select the 30-minute option marked “Free Trial.” Available to new students.

What we can work on

• Handpan / Hang: clean sound, basic technique, coordination, rhythm, melody and groove; improvising, creating musical phrases and building your own compositions. You can start from scratch without reading music.
• Frame drum / bendir: sound production, finger techniques, coordination, traditional rhythmic vocabulary, improvisation and musical phrasing.
• Darbuka / doumbek: fundamental strokes, Middle Eastern rhythms, variations, rolls and improvisation, with attention to how you use them in music.
• Daf and riq / riqq: instrument-specific technique, traditional approaches and rhythmic patterns.
• Djembe: sound, coordination, African rhythmic patterns and musical application.

For advanced players and professional musicians, lessons can focus on frame drum technique, odd meters, Indian rhythmic concepts, fusion, phrasing and musical interpretation.

Additional instruments: cajón, jaw harp (Jew’s harp), and steel tongue drums (glucophone and RAV Vast). I also teach tombak. On bodhrán, lessons cover hand-played frame drum technique; traditional Irish stick playing is outside my teaching focus.

How lessons work

Lessons are individual and online, with a program adapted to your experience and interests. A 60-minute lesson costs US$35. You can also choose 30, 45 or 90 minutes; available lengths and prices are shown when booking. Between lessons, video feedback can support your practice, and we can use a shared Google Doc for learning materials. When needed, a lesson recording can be arranged.