Ashra Baladi - Basic Structures

www.guyschalom.com
AMINT BILLAH
(Baladi Progression)
No Rhythm Taxim Soulful Improvisation by melody
player
(includes: Ya Rabi Tova, Law Kan li Amal fi Dunya)
Wahda Amint Billah Tune of famous song by Laure
Daccache
Wahda Talata W'Bass Folk ditty

Wahda Hassan Ya Ghouli Folk song added to structure by

Kebira or Sheik Taha
Masmoudi
Kebir
Saiidi Tet Bati (slow) Short stabs on weak beats
Fallahi Tet Sari (fast) ditto (in faster rhythm)
Aflah Ending

FEMALE STYLE
of Ashra Baladi Progression
Tahmelah Lively, well known introductory
piece
Taxim Soulful Improvisation by melody
player
Call + Answer Sakat (slow) Call + Answer Interlude

Masmoudi Awadi Flowing section added by Hassan

Sogheir Abdel Seoud - string of popular
songs
Call + Answer Sakat (slow) Sakat (fast) Call + Answer Interlude

return to Awadi
Maqsoum Tet Sari Short stabs on weak beats
Maqsoum Engrarah Taxim over rhythm
Maqsoum / Drum Solo
Fallahi
as above Song (Optional) Well known piece
Aflah Ending

N.B. These are merely the conventional ways to structure these improvisations.
Sections may be omitted, repeated or returned to.
Essential Listening:
Guy Schalom - Baladi Blues, Baladi Blues 2, Bellydance Diaries Soundtrack (download only), Bint al Balad
Layali El Sharq Ensemble - Baladi Live!
Anything by Hassan Abdel Seoud, Samir Serour, Samy El Bably, Mustafa Sax, Farouk Salama
Further Reading:
See the two articles on Baladi written by Guy Schalom in Mosaic Magazine Issues 52 + 53 (2011)
Available at www.guyschalom.com
www.guyschalom.com
(c) Guy Schalom 2011