darbuka.orgby Ibi Malik

Your First Darbuka Rhythms

Which rhythm to learn first, which ones suit a beginner, how to learn a new one, and when to start ornamenting.

4 questions answered

TEC-074 What’s the first rhythm I should learn? #

Maqsum (also spelled Maksum or Maqsoum), a 4-beat rhythm, D T - T D - T -. That’s where most teachers start, and it’s everywhere in Arabic pop and belly dance music. It’s my favourite rhythm too — I’d guess I play it about 70% of the time I perform. See the Rhythms section for full notation and variations.

TEC-075 Which other rhythms are good for beginners? #

The ones usually recommended early on: Baladi (a heavier cousin of Maqsum with doubled dums), Saidi, Ayoub (a driving 2/4), Malfuf (a fast 2/4), and Wahda (a simple, slow 4/4). You’ll find the detailed patterns in the Rhythms section.

TEC-076 How do I learn a new rhythm? #

  1. Read the notation and write the counts above it.
  2. Say it out loud until you can say it steadily.
  3. Tap it on a table or on your legs.
  4. Play it on the drum very slowly with a metronome — dums and teks only, no ornaments.
  5. Build the speed up gradually, then play it along with music. Don’t move on until you understand the step you’re on. Rushing through this is the fastest way to learn a rhythm badly.

TEC-077 When should I start adding ornaments and fills? #

Once the basic rhythm is rock steady and you can keep it going without thinking about it. Not before. Get the main rhythms solid, then start making them sound better with Ka fill-ins and simple variations — that’s the order most teachers use, and it works. Rolls and the advanced ornaments are in the advanced-technique file.