November 8, 2026
Workshop
Mongolian Jaw Harps Workshop
Discover Three Traditional Mongolian Jaw Harps at Leuven Leisure, Belgium • Led by Mongolian jaw harp master Beatbox Ray
Discover the unique sound world of 3 Mongolian jaw harps
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Join us for an inspiring day exploring one of Mongolia's most fascinating musical traditions. During this hands-on workshop, you'll discover three different traditional Mongolian jaw harps, each with its own distinctive sound, playing technique, and musical character.
Under the guidance of Beatbox Ray, one of Mongolia's pioneering beatbox artists and founder of the Mongolian Ethnic Jaw Harp Players Association, you'll learn the fundamentals of playing the iron jaw harp, bamboo jaw harp, and the unique Mongolian bow harp. Throughout the day, Ray will also perform a selection of his own musical pieces, demonstrating the remarkable versatility and expressive possibilities of these traditional instruments.
Whether you're a complete beginner or already have musical experience, this workshop is designed to be accessible, interactive, and above all: enjoyable.
Over de locatie
Located in the heart of Leuven on the historic Grote Markt, The Loft is a cozy workshop space situated beneath the wooden beams of an 18th-century building. Its intimate atmosphere makes it an ideal setting for cultural exchange, making music and learning.
Address: Boekhandelstraat 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Program overview
Throughout this full-day workshop, participants will explore the basics of all three traditional Mongolian jaw harps through practical exercises, demonstrations, and group playing sessions. Beatbox Ray will introduce essential playing techniques, breathing, rhythm, and the characteristic sounds of each instrument.
What makes this workshop truly unique is Beatbox Ray's innovative musical approach. Alongside traditional techniques, he will demonstrate how modern beatbox can be combined with jaw harp playing, opening up exciting new creative possibilities.
All instruments will be available to use throughout the workshop. After the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to purchase authentic Mongolian jaw harps directly from Beatbox Ray. These handcrafted instruments are rarely available in Europe, making this a unique chance to begin or expand your own collection.
Datum
November 8, 2026
Tijd
12:00 - 18:00
Locatie
Boekhandelstraat 1 (Grote Markt), 3000 Leuven
Prijs
€160
Duur
13:00 - 17:30
Taal
English
Experience
Suitable for complete beginners and those who already have some experience. Musical or singing experience is not necessary.
Inbegrepen:
- Day workshop with Beatbox Ray
- Use of three traditional Mongolian jaw harps during the workshop
- Live musical demonstrations throughout the day
- Opportunity to purchase authentic Mongolian jaw harps directly from Mongolia
- Coffee, tea & refreshments
Thanks for your interest! I'll get in touch with you!
Oeps! Er ging iets mis bij het verzenden van het formulier.
The program:
4 p.m.
Welcome to Mongolian tea
4:30 p.m.
Start workshop part 1
6 p.m.
Delicious Mongolian dinner together
7 p.m.
Start workshop part 2
8:30 p.m.
Finishing up the evening
The program:
1 p.m.
Welcome to Mongolian tea
1.30 p.m.
Start workshop
1:30-2:00 p.m.
Explanation and presentation about throat singing & overtones in general
2 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Various exercises: Overtone singing
2.30-2.45 p.m.
Short break
2:45 p.m. — 3:15 p.m.
Various exercises: Throat Singing Technique #1 (“Shakha Khuumei”)
3:15-3:30 p.m.
Short break
3.30-4 p.m.
Various exercises: Throat singing technique #2 (“Kharkhiraa Khuumei”)
4.00-4.30 p.m.
Completing the workshop
Het Programma:
Dag 1
13.00
Welkom, met traditionele Mongoolse thee
14.00
Start van Workshop #1
14.00-16.00
Ruim de tijd voor de workshop
16.00
Einde workshop nr. 1
17.00-18.00
Geniet van een heerlijk traditioneel Mongools diner
19.00
Start van Workshop #2
19.00-21.00
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop
Avond
Vrije tijd
Dag 2
08.30-09.15
Traditioneel Mongools ontbijt
9.30 uur
Een ontspannende natuurwandeling
10.00 uur
Start van Workshop #3
10.00-12.00
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop
12.00-12.30
Lunch
12.30 - 14.00
Vrije tijd
14.30
Start van Workshop #4
14.30-16.30
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop
16.30
Afsluiting van het workshopweekend
Het programma:
Dag 1
12.00 uur
Welkom met traditionele melkthee
13.00 uur
Start workshop #1
13.00-15.00 uur
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop en mogelijkheden om via de muzikanten meer te leren over muziek in Tuva!
15.00 uur
Afronden workshop
16.30-17.30 uur
Genieten van een heerlijk diner!
18.30 uur
Start workshop #2
18.30-20.00 uur
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop
Avond
Afronden
Dag 2
08.30-09.15 uur
Traditioneel ontbijt
9.30 uur
Wandeling in het prachtige en zeer unieke arboretum (bomenpark) van onze buren
10.00 uur
Start workshop #3
10.00-12.00 uur
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop
12.00-12.30 uur
Lunch
12.30 - 14.00 uur
Vrije tijd
14.30 uur
Start workshop #4
14.30-16.30 uur
Genoeg tijd voor de workshop
16.30 uur
Afronden
The program:
Day 1
1 p.m.
Welcome with Mongolian tea
2 p.m.
Start workshop #1
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Workshop #1: What are overtones (theory/demonstrations), how to sing overtones (practice)
4 p.m.
Completing the workshop
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious Mongolian dinner!
7 p.m.
Start workshop #2
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Workshop #2: Discover and combine throat singing technique with overtone singing
Evening
Free time (either a moment of rest, or enjoying/jamming together, etc!)
Day 2
8:30-9:15 a.m.
Typical Mongolian breakfast
9:15 a.m.
Guided by Giovanni, we make our own overtone flute
11 a.m.
Start workshop #3
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Workshop #3: Discovering the low-throat singing technique + learning the basics of playing the overtone flute
13.00-13.45 hours
Lunch
1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Free time
2:15 p.m.
Start workshop #4
2.30-4.30 p.m.
Workshop #4: Repeating all singing exercises + further focus on playing overtone flute
4:30 p.m.
Finalize
The program:
Day 1
2 p.m.
Welcome in a traditional way + music + introduction
4 p.m.
Start workshop #1
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Plenty of time for the workshop and opportunities to learn more about Mongolia through Saran!
6:30 p.m.
Completing the workshop
6:45 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious dinner!
8:15-9 p.m.
Live living room concert by Mongolian guest musicians
Evening
Some typical traditional games + free time
Day 2
08.30
Typical Mongolian breakfast, where you can assist in preparation
9:30 a.m.
breakfast
10:15 a.m.
Walk in our neighbor's beautiful and very unique arboretum (tree park)
12:30 p.m.
Start workshop #2
2.30 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious lunch!
3:30 p.m.
Take a nice photo in the traditional Mongolian way (for those who want!)
16-5 p.m.
Completion
Het Programma:
Dag 1
14.00
Ontvangst met traditionele Mongoolse thee
16.00
Start van Workshop #1
16.00-18.00
Ruim de tijd voor de workshop, met gelegenheid om meer over Mongolië te leren van Saran.
18.30
Einde workshop nr. 1
18.45-20.00
Geniet van een heerlijk diner
Avond
Vrije tijd
Dag 2
08.30
Traditionele Mongoolse ontbijtbereiding (deelnemers mogen meehelpen)
9.30
Ontbijt
10.15
Een ontspannende natuurwandeling
12.30
Start van Workshop #2
14.30
Geniet van een heerlijke lunch
16-17.00
Afsluiting van het workshopweekend
Wie maakt dit mogelijk?
Beatbox Ray
Musician
Beatbox Ray (Narandelger Byambaa) is one of Mongolia's pioneering beatbox artists and the founder of both the Mongolian National Beatbox Association and the Mongolian Ethnic Jaw Harp Players Association. His unique performances combine beatbox with traditional Mongolian jaw harps and other indigenous instruments, creating a distinctive musical style that bridges ancient traditions and contemporary music. As both a performer and teacher, he has represented Mongolia at festivals and cultural events throughout Asia and Europe.
Rowan Hartsuiker
Host @ Altai
Rowan raakte op 17-jarige leeftijd, rond 2006, in de ban van de muziek uit Mongolië. Al snel reisde hij naar Mongolië om het land en de cultuur verder te ontdekken. Sindsdien zijn de Mongoolse muziek en tradities een onlosmakelijk deel van zijn dagelijks leven geworden. In 2014 trouwde hij met Saran, en samen werken ze sindsdien aan hun droom: het delen van de Mongoolse cultuur en muziek in Nederland via hun concept Altai.