A very common middle-eastern rhythm, can be played slowly, or very fast, or somewhere in-between. In the USA this rhythm is called a Beledi.

Wadha-wa-noss

Very common in Arabic music, very similar to the Maqsoum, so listen carefully, many people mistake this for a Maqsoum. (In the USA they call this a Maqsum which is even more confusing!)

Saaidi

This can be played very slowly - dancers like a change from the fast stuff from time to time -but it's very hypnotic, so don't play for too long or your dancers will end up asleep!

Malfuf

Very fast steady beat, can be used to finish off a piece.

Fallahi

This sends dancers into a spin, the speed being too fast for anything else. Play very fast otherwise it becomes a Wadha-wa-noss.

Zar

Very simple 2/4 rhythm, can be played slow, but is also often used for fast spins! This is known in the USA as an Ayoub.

Masmoudi

Can be played in many variations so often shows up in drum solo's.

Wadha Kebira

I haven't tried this one on the dancers I know so I can't tell you much about it. Have a go yourself and let me know what happened.

If you want to hear these rhythms you should visit the drum sites on our Links page. They have sound clips that you can download.