Working with Chiftitelli Rhythm
“The Slow Part”

The Chiftitelli rhythm (sometimes spelled Chiftetelli ,Ciftitelli or, in Greek, Tsiftitelli) is primarily a Turkish or Greek rhythm, although it has close Arabic cousins in Egypt.

Generally, it is a slow, heavy, hypnotic rhythm (though occasionally it is played in a fast, lively manner). american dancers often use props while dancing to Chiftitelli, largely because American audiences sometimes glaze over during “the slow part” of a show. Swords, candles, snakes and baskets are common props to use.

While faster rhythms encourage lively, interactive dancing with lots of smiling and playfulness, the Chiftitelli brings the dancers focus inward.

The basic rhythm has 8 beats to a measure:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &
D T T D D T (rest)
(Dun Tek Tek... Dun Dun Tek...)
There are variations on even this basic structure, but the accents will always fall on 1, 2&, 4,5,6,7)


The drummer has freedom to “fill” in between these stressed beats as he/she sees fit to interpret the music, but here is one of the most common “fills,” and the one we are working with in class:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &
D t k t T t k t T t k D t k D t k T (rest)

(Capitals represent stressed beats)

Zill Rhythms

Zills (finger cymbals, called Sagat in Egypt) are an instrument. You are always free to improvise your own rhythms to accompany your dance, as long as you respect the basic structure. There is no one “right” rhythm to play. We will be working in class on a rather complex rhythm; if you learn this, simplifying it will be easy!

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &
D t k t T t k t T t k D t k D t k T (rest)
R RLR R RLR R RLR RLR RLR (rest)

Movements for Chiftitelli Rhythm
The slow, hypnotic nature of the Chiftitelli lends itself to snakelike undulations and circular motions of the torso, so those movements will be our focus for this session. This does not mean that sharp, staccato movements can’t be performed!
As a dancer, you are giving YOUR interpretation of the music, and there is no right or wrong combination of movements in Middle Eastern Dance!

We will be covering the following:

Arms:
Snake arms
Classic arms
Wrist circles
Arm ripples (Palm, Nile)

Circles:
Chest, horizontal *
Chest, vertical*
Large hip circle
Small hip circle**
Ummi

Undulations:
Egyptian style (full torso)
Pelvic **
Reverse (full torso)
Reverse Pelvic*

Figure 8s
 Sway (upward vertical)**
Forward (horizontal, front to back)*
Backward (horizontal, back to front)
Maya (downward vertical, isolated)*
Bicycle hip (single hip)

* = will also be done as a traveling step; moving forward
**= will also be done as a traveling step; moving sideways

Patterns of movement for Chiftitelli
Again, no right or wrong here; I’m just teaching you what works for me!


1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 & 8 &
D t k t T t k t T t k D t k D t k T (rest)
Slow & Slow & Slow... Fast Fast Fast

OR

Smooth, Smooth, Smooth....Sharp, Sharp, Sharp

OR

Traveling, Traveling, Traveling...Stop, Stop, Stop