Got Rhythm?

Here is your easy guide to some of the popular middle-eastern rhythms used in belly dance using drum syllable pattern.

D = Dum, bass sound of the drum

T = Tek, Right hand stroke on the rim of the drum

K = Ka, Left hand stroke on the rim of the drum

*will be represented in bold in “Count it”

2/4 Rhythm

Pulse = 1 e&a 2 e&a

Malfoof

Play it:    D T T

Say it:     Doum tek tek

Count it: 1 e&a 2e&a

Ayoub

Play it:  D D T

Say it: Doum Doum Tek

Count it: 1 e&a 2 e&a

4/4 Rhythm

Pulse= 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

Maksum

Play it: DT  TD   T

Say it: DoumTek   TekDoum Tek

Count it: 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

Masmoudi Sagheer

Play it: D D K T D K T rest

Say it: Doum Doum  KaTek  Doum  KaTek

Count it: 1e&a 2e&a 3e&a 4e&a

8/4 Rhythm

Pulse= 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5& 6 & 7 & 8 &

Cifte-Telli

Play it:  D  KT  KT   D D  T

Say it: Doum KaTek  KaTek  Doum Doum Tek

Count it: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &