Aksak

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In Ottoman musical theory, aksak is a rhythmic system in which pieces or sequences, executed in a fast tempo, are based on the uninterrupted reiteration of a matrix, which results from the juxtaposition of rhythmic cells based on the alternation of binary and ternary quantities, as in 2+3, 2+2+3, 2+3+3, etc. The name literally means "limping", "stumbling", or "slumping", and has been borrowed by Western ethnomusicologists to refer generally to irregular, or additive meters. [1] [2] [3]

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In Turkish folk music, these metres occur mainly in vocal and instrumental dance music, though they are found also in some folksongs. Strictly speaking, in Turkish music theory the term refers only to the grouping of nine pulses into a pattern of 2+2+2+3. [3] Some examples are shown below.[ additional citation(s) needed ]

UnitsSubdivisionName(s)
52+3Türk Aksağı [Bulg: Paidushko ]
3+2
72+2+3Devr-i Turan[ citation needed ] [Bulg. Račenica ]
2+3+2
3+2+2Devr-i Hindi [4] [Bulg. Lesnoto , Četvorno]
92+2+2+3Aksak [Bulg. Daychovo ]
3+2+2+2
2+2+3+2
2+3+2+2[Bulg: Grancharsko ]
112+2+2+2+3
2+2+3+2+2[Bulg. Gankino ]
132+2+2+2+2+3[Bulg. Elenino horo]
2+2+2+3+2+2[Bulg. Krivo Sadovsko horo]
3+4+4+2Şarkı Devr-i Revâni
152+2+2+2+3+2+2[Bulg. Bučimiš]
18(3+2+2) + (2+2+3+2+2)[Bulg. Jove Malaj Mome]
25(3+2+2) + (3+2+2) + (2+2+3) + (2+2)[Bulg. Sedi Donka]

In jazz

The aksak rhythm 2+2+2+3
8
is prominently featured in the jazz standard "Blue Rondo à la Turk" by Dave Brubeck. [5]

In rock

The Belgian experimental rock group Aksak Maboul take their name from this rhythm.

See also

Related Research Articles

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In music, the terms additive and divisive are used to distinguish two types of both rhythm and meter:

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and 5
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4
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2
, 3
8
and 9
8
being the most common examples. The upper figure being divisible by three does not of itself indicate triple metre; for example, a time signature of 6
8
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8
time, with one side theme in 4
4
,
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4
or 7
8
. The stress pattern can be 2+2+3, 3+2+2, or occasionally 2+3+2, although a survey of certain forms of mostly American popular music suggests that 2+2+3 is the most common among these three in these styles.

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