SAMAI THAQIL 10/8

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Samai Thaqil (also called Samai for short) is a very popular Muwashah rhythm. It is also well known outside the Muwashah form because it is primarily used with the Samai instrumental form. The word Samai is Turkish (from Saz Semai). The word Thaqil means heavy in Arabic.

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AQSAQ 9/8

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Aqsaq is a Turkish word that meansLimping (probably because its has an odd time signature, and one extra beat from an 8/8).

Many Aqsaq pieces start from the 3rd note (e.g. Muwashah Ma Htiyali).

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MASMUDI KABIR 8/4

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Masmudi Kabir is also commonly calledMasmudi (the word Kabir means Largeor Big in Arabic).

When played much faster, this rhythm becomes Masmudi Saghir.

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NAWAKHT 7/4

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Nawakht is a very popular Muwashah rhythm. Nawakht should not be confused with Dawr Hindi (7/8 and usually played much faster).

Starting Note: Many Nawakht pieces start from the 3rd note 

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DAWR HINDI 7/8

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Dawr means Cycle or Turn in Arabic, and Hindi means Indian. Dawr Hindi is very popular rhythm for Muwashahat.

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YURUK SAMAI 6/8 online beat maker

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Yûrûk in Turkish means small, Samai is a Turkish word (from Saz Semai). Yuruk is an extremely popular rhythm for Muwashahat.

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THURAYYA 5/8 online beat maker

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Thurayya in Arabic means the heavens.

Also called: Usul Aghar Aqsaq (Aqsaqin Turkish means Limping, and Usul is used to mean Rhythm).

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WAHDA 4/4 online beat maker

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Wahda means One or Single in Arabic.

Wahda is primarily used with vocal music, and is played in a slow but steady and rich style.

Although the rhythm signature of Wahdais a slowed down version of Malfuf, they radically differ in style and feel.

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MASMUDI SAGHIR (BALADI) 4/4 online beat maker

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Masmudi Saghir is primarily used in folk and popular Arabic music. It is seldom used as a rhythm for Muwashahat. This rhythm is a fast version of Masmudi Kabir. Also called: Baladi. 

Saghir means Small or Little in Arabic.

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SAMAI TA´ER 3/8 online beat maker

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The Samai Ta'er rhythm is the simplest form of 3/8. It is quite fast and light. Also called: Waltz. Samai is a Turkish word (from Saz Semaï), Ta'er is an Arabic word that means Flying.

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MALFUF 2/4 online beat maker

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Malfuf is primarily used in folk and popular Arabic music. It is seldom used as a rhythm for Muwashahat.

Malfuf in Arabic means Wrapped orSpun Around (Malfuf feels very short and cyclical).

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AYYUB 2/4 online beat maker

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Ayyub (also spelled Ayoub) is primarily used in Sufi music and folk. It is also called Zaar. It is seldom used as a rhythm for Muwashahat.

Ayyub in Arabic is the byblical name Jobe.

SOUND EXAMPLE (click to play)