The smallest usul — a plain two-stroke pattern that forms the core of several larger usuller.
Nim Sofyan is the smallest usul in regular use — a single Düm followed by a single Tek, two zaman in all. Because it is so short, it is usually where usul is first taught, and its Düm-Tek shape recurs, doubled or varied, inside several longer usuller.
The 2-zaman pattern of Nim Sofyan 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:
Nim Sofyan is the smallest usul in regular use — a single Düm followed by a single Tek, two zaman in all. Because it is so short, it is usually where usul is first taught, and its Düm-Tek shape recurs, doubled or varied, inside several longer usuller.
Nim Sofyan is a 2-zaman usul. Its stroke pattern: Düm (1) – Tek (1).
Nim Sofyan is heard most in: simple şarkı and folk songs; the usual first usul taught.
One low strong stroke, one lighter one — count it 'DÜM-tek'.
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.