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- String 1 (top)D273.42 Hz—
- String 2 (mid)D3146.83 Hz—
- String 3 (bot)G297.99 Hz—
Cipher map (Sum Fig. 4.4)
When a tab or msawi formula prints digits 1–8, they mean these string/position pairs — Sum 2012, Chapter 4.2 / Figure 4.4.
Sum Figure 4.4 — cipher ↔ string / position
Sum’s load-bearing map (Ch. 4.2 / Fig. 4.4): digits 1–8 name a string (zir / tahtiya / ntoi) and a finger position (open, 1-A, 1-B, 2-A/B/C). Bracketed [1-B] and parenthetical (2-B)/(2-C) mark pitches Sum treats as extras or scale-variant slots. This is the same map every repertoire tab and msawi transcription on this site cites.
| Cipher | String | Family | Finger position | Editor track |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | zir(top) | father | open | string1 |
| 2 | zir(top) | father | 1-A 1-A is closest to the end of the neck (Sum Fig. 4.4 N.B.). | string1 |
| [3] | zir(top) | father | [1-B] Pitch 3 / 1-B was introduced with ‘Aisha Hamdushiya (Sum §4.2.1 fn. 8). | string1 |
| 4 | tahtiya(bottom) | mother | open | string3 |
| 5 | tahtiya(bottom) | mother | 2-A | string3 |
| (6) | tahtiya(bottom) | mother | (2-B) | string3 |
| (7) | tahtiya(bottom) | mother | (2-C) | string3 |
| 8 | ntoi(middle) | child | open Ntoi is always played open — the short middle string. | string2 |
Average intervallic spacing Sum reports under Fig. 4.4 for the common pentatonic succession 1–2–4–5–7–8: 1→2 161¢ · 2→4 335¢ · 4→5 189¢ · 5→7 326¢ · 7→8 202¢. Octave ≈ 1212¢ (not a tempered 1200).
Sum, Maisie (2012). Music of the Gnawa of Morocco. — Ch. 4.2 / Figure 4.4 (pp. 128–129).
More on cipher timing marks and Vanelli’s interval measurements → Research · Rhythm.