Instrument · Keyboard & Bellows
Arabic Accordion
أكورديون (accordion)
A free-reed instrument operated with a keyboard/buttons and bellows. Arabic accordion can sound nasal, warm, gritty or extremely emotional.
Europe; Arabic adaptation: Egypt
Origin
The accordion is European in origin and entered Egyptian music during the early 20th century. At first it was used without modification; Egyptian musicians later altered instruments so that they could produce quartertones and therefore perform a wider range of Arabic maqamat.
Role in the dance
This is one of the most important instruments in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, Baladi and Shaabi. An accordion can immediately identify a Baladi progression. Dancers often answer its melodic bends with hip circles, figure eights, torso undulations and expressive grounded improvisation. MaqamWorld specifically notes its strong popularity in Raqs Sharqi and Shaabi.
Music
Rhythms it plays
Baladi
4/4Heavy, grounded rhythm strongly associated with Egyptian baladi music and baladi progressions. The doubled opening dum creates a heavier feeling than Maqsum. “Baladi” is also a much broader cultural and musical term, while this specific rhythmic skeleton is more precisely called Masmoudi Saghir.
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.
Sa‘idi
4/4Strong, earthy and energetic rhythm associated with Upper Egyptian music. The central dum accents give it its characteristic grounded and slightly “bouncing” feel. Closely associated with tahtib and staged cane dancing.
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.
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.