Chiftitelli

From crispyneurons

The chiftitelli (also spelled ciftitelli, chiftetelli, chifatelli, chifftatelli, chifititelli, tsifteteli or shiftaatellii!) is a Turkish or Greek rhythm in 8/4 time. It is played very slowly and sensuously, producing a hypnotic effect to accompany belly dancers doing floor work, balancing or standing undulations. It supports a form of melodic improvisation known as takseem (sometimes taqassim or taaqasiim). Many variations aren't very filled as the rhythm supports a lot of silent space. Drummers like to "complete" it with unexpected and creative improvisations.

This is a common form of chiftitelli:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D    TT    TT   D   D   T

[edit] Variations

[edit] variation 1: basic form

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D     T     T   D   D   T

[edit] variation 2:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D   tkT   tkT   D   D   T

[edit] variation 3:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D   tkT   tkT   Dtk Dtk T

[edit] variation 4:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D tkT T tkD T tkD   D   Tktkt

[edit] variation 5:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D tkt T tkd T tkD tkD tkT

[edit] variation 6:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D tkt T tkd T tkD tkD D T

[edit] variation 7:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D tkt T tkd T tkD tkDkDkT

[edit] variation 8: filled

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
DktktkTktkdkTktkDktkDktkT

[edit] variation 9: open, alternate

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D    TT    DT   D   D   T

[edit] variation 10: open, less emphatic

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D    tT    dT   D   D   T

[edit] variation 11:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D tkt t TKD T TKD tkD D T

[edit] variation 12:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D tkT T tkD T tkD tkT t tkt

[edit] variation 13: trilled

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 
D   lTT   lTT   Dtk Dtk T

[edit] variation 14: fast chifti 4/4

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 
D kT kT D D T