Arabic Maqsum Darbuka

Genre: Arabic · Tempo: 112 BPM · Time signature: 4/4 · Length: 32 steps · Style: maqsum, the Arabic darbuka rhythm

Open this pattern in the interactive Patchpad (with playback)

The pattern

Instrument	Steps (1 = start of the bar)	Velocity	Timing and chance
kick	1, 9, 17, 25	125	on the grid, always plays
rim	3, 7, 13, 19, 23, 29, 31	85-105	on the grid, always plays
perc1	5, 11, 15, 21, 27, 32	55	step 5: plays 70% of the time; step 11: plays 70% of the time; step 15: plays 70% of the time; step 21: plays 70% of the time; step 27: plays 70% of the time; step 32: plays 70% of the time

Digitakt II

Tracks

• T1: kick (darbuka dum sample)
• T2: rim (darbuka tek sample)
• T3: darbuka hi (darbuka ka sample)

Digitone II

Tracks

• T1: kick (FM DRUM, round low body)
• T2: rim (FM DRUM, short click)
• T3: darbuka hi (FM DRUM, pitched body)

Syntakt

Tracks

• T9: kick (BD ACOUSTIC)
• T11: rim (RS HARD)
• T1: darbuka hi (PC CARBON)

Tonverk

Tracks

• ST1: kick (darbuka dum sample)
• ST2: rim (darbuka tek sample)
• ST3: darbuka hi (darbuka ka sample)

Notes

The maqsum rhythm on the darbuka at 112 BPM. In the usual notation it reads D-T---T-D---T---: a dum on steps 1 and 9, tek on the rim on steps 3, 7 and 13, with soft ka taps in some of the gaps. Bar 2 adds a closing tek on step 31 and a ka on step 32. It is a dum-tek groove with a lot of space, so it suits a bass line or a melodic instrument playing on top.

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