I agree completely -- good choice. (The first song you should learn in 10/8 is "Lamma Bada," but this muwashah doesn't really qualify as a "samai" in
my mind.) Once you are comfortable with the Samai Bayati Qadim, try Tatyos' Efendi's Samai Hijaz Kar Kurd ("Kurdilihicazkar Saz Semaisi" in
Turkish).
I am no "non-Western meter" specialist myself. It just takes some practice and perserverance. I was going to perform the Tatyos Efendi piece a few
weeks ago to a roomful of Turks, but after running the tune several times with my percussionist, decided I wasn't ready. Just keep working on it; you'll get the feel eventually. Also, try listening to a lot
of samai recordings while following the score.
Good luck,
"Udi" John |