DANCING TO ARABIC DRUMMING
One of the most popular aspects of Arabic dance is dancing to the strong rhythms of the various kinds of drums played by hand, and sometimes sticks. On this page I'll give you a brief idea of some of the different kinds of drumming you'll find in my classes and workshops, with reference to artists whose work you might like to look up.
DANCING TO A DRUM SOLO
An important part of any Arabic music is the section where the drummer takes the lead and plays solo, either on his or her own, or with the backing of other musicians. Tradiitonally this is an energetic and fast part of the performance where the dancer uses her skill with hips and shimmies to work with and sometimes lead the drummer. However, to fully develop the creative side of a drum solo, I encourage dancers to work in different ways, to break away from dancing cliches. It's fun!
The drums you'll meet are:
One of the most popular aspects of Arabic dance is dancing to the strong rhythms of the various kinds of drums played by hand, and sometimes sticks. On this page I'll give you a brief idea of some of the different kinds of drumming you'll find in my classes and workshops, with reference to artists whose work you might like to look up.
DANCING TO A DRUM SOLO
An important part of any Arabic music is the section where the drummer takes the lead and plays solo, either on his or her own, or with the backing of other musicians. Tradiitonally this is an energetic and fast part of the performance where the dancer uses her skill with hips and shimmies to work with and sometimes lead the drummer. However, to fully develop the creative side of a drum solo, I encourage dancers to work in different ways, to break away from dancing cliches. It's fun!
The drums you'll meet are:
The darbouka, a goblet style drum, sometimes called the tabla (not to be confused with the Indian drum of the same name).
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The duff, a single head frame drum.
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A dancer who wants to improve dancing to drumming should know the following rhythms and internalise them to be able to respond.
To begin with ...
SAIDI
The earthy, heavy rhythm of Upper Egypt, and what you will hear a lot if you visit Luxor.
Dum tak dum dum tak 4/4
MAQSOUM
Maybe the most commonly found rhythm in Arabic dance music, bouncier than Saidi.
Dum tak tak dum tak 4/4
MALFOUF
Traditionally used for dancerss to enter the stage - a lively, rolling rhythmn that invites the dancer the move through space.
Dum a tak tak 2/4
FELLAHI
A simple, driving rhythm named after the Fellahin - the people who work the land in Upper Egypt.
Often partnered with Saidi to finish off a piece of music with an energetic flourish!
(An easy way to identify it is that it is like two phrases of maqsoum played fast).
Dum tak a dum tak 2/4
To begin with ...
SAIDI
The earthy, heavy rhythm of Upper Egypt, and what you will hear a lot if you visit Luxor.
Dum tak dum dum tak 4/4
MAQSOUM
Maybe the most commonly found rhythm in Arabic dance music, bouncier than Saidi.
Dum tak tak dum tak 4/4
MALFOUF
Traditionally used for dancerss to enter the stage - a lively, rolling rhythmn that invites the dancer the move through space.
Dum a tak tak 2/4
FELLAHI
A simple, driving rhythm named after the Fellahin - the people who work the land in Upper Egypt.
Often partnered with Saidi to finish off a piece of music with an energetic flourish!
(An easy way to identify it is that it is like two phrases of maqsoum played fast).
Dum tak a dum tak 2/4
Musicians work to look out for:
Ibrahim El Minyawi (Dagat il Qalb on the Tanzraum label recommended)
Tim Garside (Basic Forms & Basic Combinations great for beginners)
Hossam Ramzy
Guy Schalom (Tablatastic great for beginners)
Ibrahim El Minyawi (Dagat il Qalb on the Tanzraum label recommended)
Tim Garside (Basic Forms & Basic Combinations great for beginners)
Hossam Ramzy
Guy Schalom (Tablatastic great for beginners)