Rhythm · 2/4

Khaleeji

Also known as: Khaliji, Saudi

dum tak rest

Time signature: commonly taught as 2/4.

Origin

Arabian Gulf

Where you hear it

One of the best-known Gulf rhythmic feels. Its recognizable 3+3+2 subdivision creates the swaying, rolling character strongly associated with Gulf music. Authentic Gulf percussion can be layered across several drums, so a single-darbuka transcription is necessarily simplified.

Dance

Styles danced to it

  • Khaleeji
  • Raqs Khaliji
  • Saudi dance presentations
  • Gulf-inspired Oriental