A flowing three-beat pattern, waltz-like — the usul that lends its name to the saz semaisi form.
Semai is a three-zaman usul — Düm, Tek, Tek — with a flowing feel close to a Western waltz. It gives its name to the saz semaisi, the instrumental piece that traditionally closes a fasıl (classical suite).
The 3-zaman pattern of Semai 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:
Semai is a three-zaman usul — Düm, Tek, Tek — with a flowing feel close to a Western waltz. It gives its name to the saz semaisi, the instrumental piece that traditionally closes a fasıl (classical suite).
Semai is a 3-zaman usul. Its stroke pattern: Düm (1) – Tek (1) – Tek (1).
Semai is heard most in: the saz semaisi form and the closing sections of şarkı.
Three even beats, DÜM-tek-tek, with a gentle triple-time roll.
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.