A nine-beat limping pattern with two Düm strokes — close to a Western 9/8 but with its own accent shape.
Aksak ('limping') gives its name to the whole family of uneven, odd-grouped usuller. This nine-zaman form runs two Düm strokes, each followed by a shorter fill, in a 2+1+1 then 2+2+1 shape — recognisably 'limping' rather than marching evenly.
The 9-zaman pattern of Aksak usul is below. Düm is the low, strong stroke; Tek (or the split Te / Ke) is lighter and higher. Press play the kalıp — each stroke sounds with its own length and accent.
Usuller from the same family, sharing a similar pattern logic:
Aksak ('limping') gives its name to the whole family of uneven, odd-grouped usuller. This nine-zaman form runs two Düm strokes, each followed by a shorter fill, in a 2+1+1 then 2+2+1 shape — recognisably 'limping' rather than marching evenly.
Aksak is a 9-zaman usul. Its stroke pattern: Düm (2) – Te (1) – Ke (1) – Düm (2) – Te (2) – Tek (1).
Aksak is heard most in: zeybeks, dance tunes, instrumental pieces.
Two Düm strokes, each trailed by uneven short beats — a genuine limp, not a straight march.
This pattern is cross-checked against more than one source, and its stroke lengths are checked automatically to sum to this usul's zaman count. There is always a small gap between a written pattern and what a performer plays.
Back to the Turkish Usul tool for all usuller; for the melodic side of Turkish music see the Makam tool.