Week 8: West Asia & North Africa + Additions

MUSIC OF WEST ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA

Geographic Overview

  • Regions Covered:

    • West Asia

    • North Africa

Countries in West Asia and North Africa

  • West Asia:

    • Saudi Arabia

    • United Arab Emirates (UAE)

    • Bahrain

    • Oman

    • Yemen

    • Qatar

    • Palestine

    • Syria

    • Lebanon

    • Iraq

    • Iran

    • Turkey

  • North Africa:

    • Egypt

    • Tunisia

    • Morocco

    • Algeria

    • Libya

    • Sudan

    • Somalia

Major Rivers

  • Significant Rivers:

    • Euphrates

    • Tigris

    • Nile

Ancient Civilizations

  • Historical Civilizations:

    • Babylon

    • Mesopotamia

    • Ancient Egypt

Major Religions

  • Abrahamic Religions:

    • Judaism

    • Christianity

    • Islam

    • All trace back to Abraham, sharing a monotheistic belief in God.

Contributions to Knowledge

  • Innovations in:

    • Irrigation systems

    • Science

    • Mathematics (e.g., algebra, alchemy, numeric systems)

Soundscape Theory

Overview

  • Reference Work:

    • Pierre Schafer's "Tuning of the World" (1977)

Core Concepts

  • Soundscape: A term used to describe the acoustic environment as perceived by individuals within it, including music, natural sounds, and noise pollution.

  • Ecology of Sound: Examines how sound interacts with natural environments and human-made structures.

  • Listening Practice: Involves training to understand and appreciate sounds in your environment, impacting cultural and personal experiences.

  • Noise Pollution: Unwanted or harmful sounds in the environment which can affect well-being.

  • Sound Design: The art of creating soundtracks for various forms of media to enhance emotional or narrative impact.

Soundmark

  • Definition:

    • Derived from "landmark", a soundmark is a unique sound identified within a community, deserving protection due to its cultural significance.

    • Examples: Natural soundscapes which possess unique identifiable tones.

Signal

  • Definition:

    • A sound that commands notice and often evokes a response.

  • Context Sensitivity: The meaning of signals is influenced by their cultural context, exemplified by different interpretations of a temple gong versus a school bell.

Keynote Sounds

  • Definition:

    • In music, a keynote is the foundational note defining a key or tonality.

  • Importance:

    • Keynote sounds serve as a pervasive reference point in compositions, often unconsciously absorbed by listeners, ultimately shaping listening habits.

Historical Overview of Egypt

Ancient History

  • Prehistoric Egypt (Before 3100 BCE):

    • Initial farming practices along the Nile leading to the development of regional cultures.

  • Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100–2686 BCE):

    • Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Narmer (Menes).

  • Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE):

    • Age of the pyramids characterized by centralized pharaonic authority.

  • Middle Kingdom (2055–1650 BCE):

    • Period marked by political stability, trade growth, and cultural development.

  • New Kingdom (1550–1070 BCE):

    • Egypt’s golden age featuring prominent pharaohs (Hatshepsut, Ramses II, Tutankhamun) and territorial expansion.

  • Late Period (664–332 BCE):

    • Invasions by Assyrians and Persians.

  • Hellenistic Period (332–30 BCE):

    • Conquest by Alexander the Great, followed by the Ptolemaic dynasty and notable figure Cleopatra VII.

Roman and Byzantine Egypt

  • Time Period (30 BCE–642 CE):

    • Egypt under Roman and subsequent Byzantine control with a slight trajectory towards Christianity.

Islamic Egypt

  • Period (642–1517 CE):

    • Arab conquest leading to rule by Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks.

    • Cairo emerges as a significant Islamic hub.

Ottoman Egypt

  • Time Period (1517–1882 CE):

    • Integration into the Ottoman Empire.

Modern Egypt

  • Timeline:

    • 1798–1801: French occupation under Napoleon.

    • 1805–1882: Modernization efforts by Muhammad Ali.

    • 1882–1952: British occupation.

    • 1952: Revolution abolishing monarchy, transitioning to the Republic of Egypt.

    • 1956–1970: Nasser's era associated with Arab nationalism.

    • 1970–1981: President Sadat's leadership emphasizing peace with Israel.

    • 1981–2011: Mubarak's administration.

    • 2011: Egyptian Revolution.

    • 2014–present: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi serves as president.

Cairo

  • Population: Approximately 22 million.

  • Geography: Located in the Nile delta.

  • Cultural Landmark: Home to the Giza Pyramid.

  • Soundscape Features: Rich audio environment reflecting Egypt's history and culture.

Islamic Call to Prayer (Adzan/Azan)

Text of the Adzan

  • Phrases:

    • "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar" (God is great, God is great)

    • "Ashadu An la Illaha Illa llah" (I testify there is no God but Allah)

    • "Ashadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah" (I testify that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah)

    • "Haya 'ala salah, Hayya 'ala falah" (Come to Prayer, Come to Salvation)

    • "Al-Salat khayrun min-al navn" (Prayer is Better than Sleep)

    • Complete phrase:

  Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar  
  La ilaha illa llah

Characteristics of the Adzan

  • Frequency: Uttered five times daily.

  • Delivery Style:

    • Involves melodic patterns and a free rhythm.

    • Characteristics include expressiveness through highly virtuosic and melismatic delivery, employing classical Arabic.

  • Theological Roots:

    • Reflects monotheism and acknowledges the lineage through Abraham and other biblical figures.

Quran Recitation

Nature of Recitation

  • Melodic Features:

    • Spoken words utilize a melodic character with a free rhythm interspersed by pauses.

  • Artistic Expression:

    • Highly virtuosic, encouraging improvisation within certain boundaries.

Key Figure in Quran Recitation

  • Abdul Basit Abdul Samad (1927-1988): A prominent qari specializing in Quran recitation.

Musical Modes: Maqam

Definition of Maqam

  • Translation: Loosely translated as "Mode"; functions similarly to Western music modes.

  • Structure: Each maqam consists of scales based on specific interval patterns.

Examples of Maqam

  • Maqam Kurd:

    • Scale: C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb and octave C

  • Maqam Rast:

    • Scale: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E

  • Maqam Nashawand:

    • Scale: F, G, Ab, C, Db, Eb

  • Maqam Bayyan:

    • Scale: C, D (half flat), Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb

Takht Ensemble

Definition

  • Meaning: Takht translates to a traditional Arabic ensemble setup, often involving a variety of instruments including strings and percussion.

Instruments in the Takht

  • Ud (Oud):

    • Large pear-shaped lute with a fretted neck housing 11 strings, inclusive of bass and courses.

    • Significant as a precursor to various string instruments in different cultures (e.g., Pipa in China, Biwa in Japan).

  • Plucked Zither: Specific examples include variations of the Zither used in both Mesopotamian and Arabic music.

    • Capable of microtonal tuning adjustments through levers (mandal).

Percussion Instruments

  • Daf: A small single-headed drum.

  • Riq: Similar to daf, but equipped with cymbals.

  • Tabla: A small goblet-shaped single-headed drum.

Rhythmic Patterns

  • Daf and Tabla Patterns:

    • Example of Daf: Doum (bass) – Tek (high) rhythmic sequences like D-T-T-D-T D-D-T-D-T D-T-TT-DD-T.

    • Example of Riq: Rhythmic patterns highlighted, such as D-T-T-D-T D-T-t-ka-T-cha-D-T.

Modern Uses of Instruments

  • Variation: Incorporation of different rhythmic patterns and maqam styles within the performance.

  • Vocal Techniques: Long and short phrases, pauses, use of melisma, and the integration of the violin enrich the modern Arabic musical ensemble.

Additional Instruments

  • Students should identify other instruments used in modern Arabic musical practices parallel to traditional ensembles.