Music: Arabic Music

What is this arabic instrument and how is it played?

Oud

Lute – angled peg box with pear shaped body, double stringed – no frets

Looks and works like a Guitar!

Similar sound to guitar

Plucked/strummed

What is this arabic instrument and how is it played?

Rebab/Rabab

Can be either a plucked rebab or bowed rebab.

Often replaced by a violinist (fiddle).

Playing style closely resembles that ofbowed instruments inAsia (erhu, rebab usedin SE Asian music).

Drone sound/twinkling in

background

What is this arabic instrument and how is it played?

Qanun

Plucked using either a pick (one on each hand) or with fingers.

Levers are used to change the pitch of the strings while being played, much like a harp.

Similar to the harp/guzheng

What is this arabic instrument and how is it played?

Ney (Nay)

Flute made from cane or reed.

Finger holes are covered to change pitch, much like a recorder.

Played out the side of the mouth

What is this arabic instrument and how is it played?

Doumbek and Darbuka

Both are goblet shaped drums that have a very similar sound.

The main difference is the material used for the body and how the head is attached.

Play a rhythmic pattern

What is this arabic instrument and how is it played?

Riq

Tambourine

The player doesn’t shake the instrument. Played by tapping the fingers on the head to make the jingles vibrate. Holding the instrument on its “side” = more control over the jingles.

What texture does arabic music use?

primarily heterophonic (Same melodies but with slight differences) or melody and accompaniment

What is the melody based on/scale?

Maqam (Arabic modes/scales) with characteristic intervals, microtones and ornamentation.

What is the rhythm?

Structured using iqa’at (rhythmic cycles) often complex and syncopated

What other features are part of arabic music?

Improvisation - taqsim (instrument improvisation) or layali (vocal improvisation on vowels), common at start or between composed sections

Expression - Highly ornamented, with glissandi, trills and microtonal inflections

What is the structure of arabic music?

Often sectional: Instrumental intro, composed melody, improvisation, and return to melody.

When are they played?

in social gatherings, celebrations or concerts.