A maqam is an Arabic classical musical construction in which a set of notes has developed particular relationships with one another based upon history, habit and an intuitive sense of melody. The most widely used, most familiar and most fundamental maqam is called "maqsum."

"Maqsum" is a familiar maqam in the "baladi" family that has four beats in a phrase. To notate it we say "dum" (D) when we hit a drum in the center and make clear, low tone and "tek" (T) when we hit the drum near the edge to make a sharp, high tone. "Tikka tek" is a quick, sharp "1-2-3" on the edge of the drum. In our notation we use an underscore to indicate a rest (pause).