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Middle Eastern music is known for its rich modal structures, profound melodies, and most importantly, its complex rhythmic patterns. In the music of this region, irregular rhythms with unusual time signatures and unique accents play a significant role. Unlike the regular rhythmic patterns common in Western music, such as 4/4 time, irregular rhythms include asymmetrical patterns of 5, 7, 9, 10, or 11 beats. These irregular rhythms, which add a distinctive dynamism to Middle Eastern music, not only provide an exciting structure to the music but also reflect the cultural heritage of the region.
In this article, we will examine the structure and types of irregular rhythms in Middle Eastern music, and how they are performed with different instruments.
The word "aksak" means "to limp" in Turkish and refers to the irregular, asymmetrical structure of the rhythm pattern. Irregular rhythms have been shaped over centuries through the influence of cultures such as the Ottoman and Persian Empires and have manifested in different forms across a wide geography including the Middle East, Balkans, and Caucasus.
Irregular rhythms also held an important place in mehter music during the Ottoman period. Especially in marches and ceremonial music, irregular rhythms added power and grandeur to the music. These rhythms continue to find a place in both traditional and contemporary music today.
We can list the most common irregular rhythm patterns in Middle Eastern music as follows:
Performing irregular rhythms in Middle Eastern music requires both technical and musical mastery. These asymmetrical rhythms are performed through various percussion instruments, and each instrument has its unique style that it adds to the irregular rhythms.
The darbuka is an instrument frequently used in the performance of irregular rhythms. When playing the darbuka, beats are made as "dum" (deep beat) and "tek" (thin beat). In irregular rhythms, the placement of these beats determines the flow of the rhythm. For example, in 9/8 rhythm, an arrangement like "dum dum tek dum tek tek dum tek tek" is common and provides a dynamic structure.
The bendir is a percussion instrument preferred especially in slower and more mystical irregular rhythms. When playing the bendir, a deep rhythmic structure is obtained with "dum" and "tak" beats. Additionally, the strings inside the bendir create a slight tremor in the rhythm, which contributes to the mystical atmosphere of irregular rhythms.
Frame drums like the tambourine and riq are used in faster versions of irregular rhythms. The addition of cymbals to these instruments adds finer touches to the rhythm. A musician playing the riq can create complex variations in 7/8 or 5/8 rhythms with fast beats and finger techniques.
The tombak (zarb), used in Iranian music, is ideal for performing irregular rhythms. The wooden body of the tombak provides a deep resonance in expressing asymmetrical rhythms. A rich rhythmic variety can be created in irregular rhythms with finger and hand beats.
Irregular rhythms are full of energetic and unexpected beats that keep the listener constantly attentive. When used especially in dance music, these rhythms add dynamism to the listener, and the asymmetrical structure of the rhythm provides dancers with a unique rhythmic experience. The irregular structure of these rhythms also stands out as an emotional means of expression.
For example, a song performed in an irregular rhythm like 9/8 offers the listener a fun and dynamic atmosphere, while heavier irregular rhythms like 10/8 or 11/8 add emotional intensity. These rhythms reveal the dramatic structure and richness of expression in Middle Eastern music.
Irregular rhythms offer musicians freedom when improvising. Percussion instruments, in particular, provide the musician with a wide area for improvisation on irregular rhythms. A musician playing the darbuka or riq can create different variations based on a specific irregular rhythm pattern. These improvisations make the music more exciting and dynamic.
Virtuosity in irregular rhythms is also an important element. Asymmetrical time structures test the technique and control of the rhythm-playing musician. In Middle Eastern music, musicians who can masterfully perform irregular rhythms stand out with both their technical skills and musical expressions.
Irregular rhythms in Middle Eastern music draw attention with their asymmetrical structure unique to this region's music and add a rich rhythmic depth to the music. Irregular rhythm types such as 5/8, 7/8, 9/8, 10/8, and 11/8 add dynamism to the music, while improvisations made with percussion instruments offer the listener an unforgettable rhythmic experience. While irregular rhythms enhance the expressive power of music, they also maintain their importance as an element reflecting the cultural heritage of the Middle East. The different emotional tones offered by these asymmetrical rhythms draw the listener into the music and tell a new story with each rhythm.
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