BD Assignment #4 - Saidi Rhythm: Dancing the Dums
Let's play with rhythm and dance!
In class and home practice we do a lot of drilling of movements, repeating them over and over in a two beat rhythm. Here we break free and explore connecting our movement to Middle Eastern rhythms.

Today's rhythm is the Saidi:
D t D D t / Dum tek Dum Dum tek
Dum is the strong beat, created by hitting the center of the drum
Tek is the weaker beat, created by hitting the side of the drum
We will concentrate on the dums today. Listen to the music a sample below. Start with step one and do as much as you want to explore. Take your time. You can always come back to it. :-)
Step 1 --> DISSECT THE BEAT
Find the dums and the teks. Say the rhythm aloud in time with the music.
Dum tek Dum Dum tek
Dum tek Dum Dum tek
Dum tek Dum Dum tek
Dum tek Dum Dum tek
Dum tek Dum Dum tek
Now just the dums:
Dum...... Dum Dum....
Dum...... Dum Dum....
Dum...... Dum Dum....
Dum...... Dum Dum....
Dum...... Dum Dum....
Step 2 --> FEEL
Get a feel for the roll of the beat, the tempo and timing of the rhythm, any sensations/emotions that come. Close your eyes. Can you feel the drums echo in your body? If yes, where? What kind of movement, if any, do you feel the drums are calling you to dance?
Sept 3 --> DANCE
Using any accented linear movements (lifts, drops, slides, etc) on the three dums, do the following combos, listening to the song at least one time through each. Take your time. The list is long, to give you plenty to come back and work on. ;-)
Combos:
Explore your own random accents on the dum...
* Hold, Hit Hit
* Hit, Hold Hold
* Hit, Hit Hit
Next using certain body parts for each dum....
* Hip, Hip Hip
* Chest, Chest Chest
* Hip, Chest Chest
* Chest, Hip Hip
* Hip, Hip Chest
* Chest, Chest Hip
* Hip, Chest Hip
* Chest, Hip Chest
Some more advanced options...
* Create your own combos adding in shoulder movements
* Circular movements, hold on the last 2 dums
* Circular movements, accents on the last 2 dums
Links to music clips
--> Drum breakdown and Full Orchestra: $1 MP3 on Amazon
--> Drum breakdown Only: Free w/ Prime MP3 on Amazon
Free YouTube of a song with a saidi rhythm
Leave a comment below to share your experience with Lulu and other students!
How did it feel dancing to this rhythm?
What was awkward?
What was fun?
What do you want to work on?
Do you have any questions for Lulu?
#drum #dumbek #rhythm #saidi #practice #dance #homework #bellydance #assignment #accents