Rhythms From the World #1 – Chaabi – Francis' Drumming Blog

We inaugurate this new series dedicated to rhythms from around the world with Chaabi, a traditional music genre originating from Maghreb and Egypt. The Maghreb region comprises western and central North African states: Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, the disputed territory of Western Sahara, and a series of Spanish overseas minor territories known as Plazas de soberanía. In this article, based on sources collected, we’ll focus on Moroccan and Algerian Chaabi.

Introduction

Chaabi (translation of “popular music” in Arabic) is a popular and traditional music style that emerged in the urban centers of the previously cited North African countries. This genre of music has strong roots in its origin countries’ musical traditions, evolving and incorporating influences from other musical styles. Chaabi covers a great mix of styles and is a descendant of different forms of folk music. It originates from the streets and souks but can be heard now in cafes, festivals, and weddings.

Chaabi is a fusion of Arab, African, and modern Western influences, combining Amazigh music with elements from the Sufi rituals, Gnawa rhythms, and Western music (pop, rock, reggae, electronic, and recently hip-hop). Lyrics deal with love and social issues, including messages that have gotten their authors in trouble with authorities.

Moroccan-Algerian Chaabi music is known for some groovy and unique 6/8 rhythms. In this article, we delve into the essence of Chaabi rhythm, providing a guide to adapting it to drums. Let’s dive into this journey!

Instrumentation

In adapting Chaabi to drums, we should consider its performance on percussion. A drumset adaptation takes note of all the essential elements to recreate the groove.
The bendir is the essential instrument to perform Chaabi. It consists of a frame drum made from wood and covered with animal hide. The qualification for a frame drum is any drum in which the shell is less deep than the head is wide. The wood for these drums is often bent and usually thin.
Inside the head of the bendir, several thin strands stretch across the inside, causing a vibration not dissimilar to a snare drum when hitting the head. The rhythms are articulate using a full-handed open note and a full-handed soft slap-closed note. It’s only rarely that the bendir is played on the rim, apart from some notes from the hand supporting the drum.^[1]

Qraqeb or garagab (translated in English as krakeb) is an essential instrument of this music style. It’s a large iron castanet-like musical instrument primarily used as the rhythmic aspect of Gnawa music. Qraqeb consists of heavy metal beaters shaped like double-ended spoons held two in each hand and beaten together, usually contributing a strong semi-quaver level pulse to the groove.^[2]

Drumset Adaptation

In adapting Chaabi on drums, we should understand the main rhythm framework notated in 4/4, 6/8, or even 12/8. Notice how the rhythm starts on the high-pitch percussion, with the bass on beat 4 in the 4/4 version. The 6/8 rhythm resembles the four-beat in its general shape.

Considering these elements, here’s the basic Chaabi pattern adapted to drums. It can also be written in 12/8 and performed with one hand on the cymbal. The original transcription comes from drummer and percussionist Ruben van Rompaey.^[3]

That’s only an example, and multiple variations are possible by listening to this genre of music. Here are some Spotify playlists with a selection of Chaabi songs (traditional and commercial songs).

Notes and References

1, 2. Lockett, Pete. “Rhythms of the Mahgreb.” Pete Lockett Official Website. https://www.petelockett.com/pete%20new%20pages/Music%20&%20Percussion%20of%20Mahgreb.html.
3. Van Rompaey, Ruben. “Belly Dance Rhythms for Drumset.” Modern Drummer, September 2018.