Baladi Playlist 1: Arabic Classics

Suheir Zaki. Photo borrowed from www.rakscandi.co.ukToday we get to hear Baladi in action. Below you will play fractions of six songs. The complete versions of these songs are composed of several rhythms — one of the reasons why they are so beautiful and full of emotions. For our purposes I have selected the Baladi section of each piece.

Notice the essence of Baladi: earthy, heavy, soulful, sultry.

That's the feeling I get. How would YOU describe it?

Baladi
source: www.maqamworld.com

Baladi Playlist 1: Arabic Classics

0:00 Zeina by Mohamed Abdel Wahab 

0:34 Habibi Ya Einy by Maya Yazbek

1:08 Batwannis Beek by Warda

1:38 Leylet Hob (Lailet Hob) by Mohamed Abdel Wahab

2:19 Aziza by Hossam Ramzy

2:50 Alf Leyla Wa Leyla To learn more about this song go to Shira's page.

 

The Case of the Missing Baladi

As I mentioned it some time ago, these names aren't written in stone and it is now time to tell you something funny about this rhythm.  Some musicians don't call it Baladi — they call it "Masmoudi Saghir." You don't need to know that now, but I wanted to mention it. In addition, there are many songs out there that feel like Baladi but their Doums and Teks are configured as DT TD T.  

 

One other Baladi thing: there is a very popular and soulful section in Egyptian music that begins with a very slow arrhythmic improvisation that goes through several rhythms and accents, progressing into faster and more exciting sections. Each of those sections and rhythms have specific names. If you are interested, you can learn them in Ranya Renee's Baladi DVDs. 

  

Next, listen to my Baladi Playlist 2: Modern & Fusion.

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RHYTHM & DRUM SOLO WORKSHOP
| index | ... | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8: playlist 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 | | part 9 | part 10 >>

 
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