Instrument · Strings
Qanun
قانون (qānūn)
A large trapezoidal plucked zither with many strings grouped in courses. Small levers allow rapid pitch changes so the player can move through Arabic maqamat. Its sound is bright, sparkling and extremely precise.
Egypt / Syria
Origin
Zither-like ancestors are ancient, but the modern qanun has a more complicated history. The term appears in medieval sources, while The Metropolitan Museum notes that the modern trapezoidal form probably developed in Egypt or Syria around the 18th century.
Role in the dance
Qanun creates flowing ornamentation, rapid runs and cascading melodic figures. Dancers often interpret it with fluid hand patterns, small hip articulations, travelling steps and delicate accents. A qanun taqsim tends to inspire more intricate and shimmering movement than the heavy grounded quality associated with accordion or percussion.
Music
Rhythms it plays
Maqsum
4/4Probably the single most important rhythmic cycle for an oriental dancer. It appears in Egyptian popular music, classical compositions, baladi music, shaabi and modern Arabic pop, and frequently serves as the neutral rhythmic foundation to which other rhythms return. MaqamWorld describes it as the most widely used iqa‘ in Arabic music.
Malfuf
2/4A fast, rolling rhythm often heard at the beginning or end of an oriental routine. Excellent for travelling steps, entrances, exits, veil entrances and fast transitions. Its accent structure has a characteristic 3+3+2 feeling.
Wahda
4/4Spacious rhythm that leaves considerable room for melody, vocals and improvisation. Particularly important beneath sustained vocal phrases and expressive tarab passages. The name means “one,” referring to the prominent single dum anchoring the cycle.
Masmoudi Kabir
8/4One of the most important long Egyptian rhythms. Slow and spacious, allowing a dancer to stretch movement across the musical phrase. It is especially common in classical tarab repertoire.
Chiftetelli
8/4Slow versions provide large spaces between accents and are ideal for expressive improvisation, veil, floor-level work and instrumental taqsim. Faster variants have a much lighter social-dance feeling. MaqamWorld identifies it as a Turkish usul that became established in Arabic music.
Sama‘i Thaqil
10/8One of the most important long classical cycles. The standard Sama‘i musical form is built primarily on Sama‘i Thaqil, making the rhythm relevant to dancers working with classical or muwashahat repertoire.