What: The most common Arabic rhythmic cycle: dum tak tak dum tak (4/4).
Why: Mastering Maqsūm is the basis of the Arabic rhythmic sense and appears in most songs.
How: 'Dum' is a low beat at the drum's centre, 'tak' a high beat at the edge; memorise their positions.
Common mistake: Keeping the pulse without distinguishing the dum/tak structure in its places.
Exercise: Tap Maqsūm on a table for a full minute at a steady pulse.