IIQA‘ SAMA‘I THAQIL 10/8 TIME FOR A DREAM OF SPRING
 |
Odalisque au tambourin-Harmonie en bleu, 1926 Henri Matisse |
knows poems by heart as Rainer Maria Rilke said.
Everything will be colourful and blooming,
it is one of the most fascinating times of the year....
By the way, I will be choreographing one of the most classic
Arabic rhythms, 10 beats, IIqa‘ Sama‘i Thaqil in March...
IIqa‘ Sama‘i Thaqil, called Samai for short,
is in 10/8 which has a relaxing, slow tone;
there are 10 beats in each bar.
This rhythm also has unique accents.
As you can see if you listen carefully, this characteristic rhythm has emphasised
beats on the 1, 4, and 6 to 8, creating a tone that makes you feel relaxed
and swaying in the cradle.
So,
It is divided and can be counted by 3-2-1-1-3 or 3-2-2-3.
Listen to it many times and let it soak into your ears and body.
It is said that this dreamy rhythm of Samai is a traditional
music form of the Turkish Ottoman Empire and is often
played in Turkish instrumental form and Muwashah which originated
in Andalus (present-day Southern Spain) and was cherished for its sophistication, and
frequently being used as one of the aristocratic art styles.