Arabic Rhythms

Rhythms Section

Rhythm in Arabic music is the time cycle that organizes Dum, Tak, and rests inside singing and playing. Use this section to explore rhythms by meter, view short notation, compare common cycles, and open each rhythm for practice.

How to use this section

  • Start with common rhythms to understand short and long meters.
  • Search by rhythm name or alternate name.
  • Filter by meter or sort alphabetically.
  • Open a rhythm card to view notation and hear practice playback when audio is available.

Aqsaq

9/8

Ayoub

2/4

Baladi (Masmoudi Saghir)

4/4

Bambi

8/4

Ciftetelli

4/4

Conga

4/4

Darij Kabir

6/4

Dawr Hindi

7/8

Dawr Tarwan

7/8

Dharafat

13/8

Fallahi

2/4

Fox

2/4

Hajaa

4/4

Jirk

4/4

Joobi Iraqi

8/8

Jurjina

10/16

Karachi

2/4

Lebanese Dabke

6/4

Malfuf

2/4

Maqsum

4/4

Masmoudi Kabir

8/4

Masmoudi Nisfi

8/4

Mudawwar

12/4

Muhajjar

14/4

Mukhammas

16/4

Murabba'

13/4

Nawakht

7/4

Nawari

4/4

Rumba

4/4

Sa'idi

4/4

Sama'i Darij (Vals)

3/4

Sama'i Saraband / Tair

3/8

Sama'i Thaqil

10/8

Sankin Sama'i

6/4

Sankin Sama'i Masri

6/4

Saudi

2/4

Sawt Shami

4/4

Sudasi

6/4

Sumbati

4/4

Thurayya

5/8

Wahda Ghayr Mulaaba

4/4

Wahda Kabira

4/4

Wahda Mutawassita / Diniya

4/4

Wahda Saghira

2/4

Wahda Saira / Mukallafa

2/4

Wahda w Noss

4/4

Yürük Semai

6/8

Zaffa

4/4