Murabba'

Murabba' is a 13/4 rhythm, and modern references describe it as highly popular in muwashshahat. They also explain clearly that the Arabic word murabba' means square or built on four, yet that linguistic meaning is not connected to its actual meter. Clear reference examples include Hayyar Al-Afkar, Isqini Al-Rah, and Ramani Bisahm Hawaah. Some studies related to the Arab instrumental form further note that Murabba' is one of the indigenous Arabic meters also used in certain Arab peshrev-like instrumental compositions, not only in the muwashshah, which increases its structural importance in classical Arabic music.

Murabba' is used as a rhythmic template for feeling the 13/4 meter. Start from the first Dum, then connect the Taks and rests to the movement of the melody or song.

• Hayyar Al-Afkar
• Isqini Al-Rah
• Ramani Bisahm Hawaah