Instrument · Keyboard & Bellows
Arabic Piano
بيانو (piano)
In Arabic music the piano can be used either conventionally or primarily as a melodic maqam instrument. Modified historical examples attempted to overcome the pitch limitations of the standard Western keyboard.
Italy; Arabic adaptation in Egypt and Lebanon
Origin
The piano developed in Italy around the beginning of the 18th century. It entered Arabic music in the early 20th century. Musicians experimented with special instruments capable of quartertones; such modified pianos were demonstrated during the 1932 Cairo Congress of Arab Music.
Role in the dance
Piano is less characteristic of traditional belly-dance music than oud, qanun or accordion, but it appears in sophisticated orchestral arrangements, jazz-influenced Arabic music and modern fusion. Dancers are most likely to encounter it in theatrical or contemporary interpretations.
Music
Rhythms it plays
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.
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.
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.