POLI-950-Handout

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Middle Eastern music 11 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Umm Kulthum The various nations of the region include the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East, the Iranian traditions of Persia, the Jewish music of Israel and the diaspora, Armenian music. Azeri Music, the varied traditions of Cypriot music, the music of Turkey, traditional Assyrian music, Coptic ritual music in Egypt as well as other genres of Egyptian music in general. It is widely regarded that some Middle- Eastern musical styles have influenced Central Asia, as well as the Balkans and Spain. Throughout the region, religion has been a common factor in uniting peoples of different languages, cultures and nations. The predominance of Islam allowed a great deal of Arabic, and Byzantine influence to spread through the region rapidly from the 7th century onward. The Arabic scale is strongly melodic, often Phrygian Dominant and based on various maqamat (sing. maqam) or modes (also known as makam in Turkish music). The early Arabs translated and developed Greek texts and works of music and mastered the musical theory of the music of ancient Greece (i.e. Systema ametabolon, enharmonium, chromatikon, diatonon).[1] This is similar to the dastgah of Persian music. While this originates with classical music, the modal system has filtered down into folk, liturgical and even popular music, with influence from the West. Unlike much western music, Arabic music includes quarter tones halfway between notes, often through the use of stringed instruments (like the oud) or the human voice. Further distinguishing characteristics of Middle Eastern and North African music include very complex rhythmic structures, generally tense vocal tone, and a monophonic texture. Traditional Middle Eastern music does not use chords, or harmony in the Western sense. Often, more traditional Middle-Eastern music can last from one to three hours in length, building up to anxiously awaited, and much applauded climaxes, or tarab, derived from the Arabic term برط tarraba.[2] Instruments used[edit] Strings[edit] Many instruments originate in the Middle East region. Most popular of the stringed instruments is the oud, a pear- shaped lute that traditionally had four strings, although current instruments have up to six courses consisting of one or two strings each. Legend has it that the oud was invented by Lamech, the sixth grandson of Adam. This is stated by Al-Farabi, and it is part of the Iraqi folklore relating to the instrument. Legend goes on to suggest that the first oud was inspired by the shape of his son's bleached skeleton.[3] Historically, the oldest pictorial record of the oud dates back to the Uruk period in Southern Mesopotamia over 5000 years ago. It is on a cylinder seal currently housed at the British Museum and acquired by Dr. Dominique Collon,[4] Editor of Iraq at the British Institute for the Study of Iraq.[4] Used mostly in court music for royals and the rich, the harp also comes from ancient Egypt c. 3500 BC.[5] The widespread use of the oud led to many variations on the instrument, including the saz, a Turkish long-necked lute that remains very popular in Turkey. Another popular string instrument is the qanoun, developed by Farabi during the Abbasids era. Legend has it that Farabi played qanoun in court and alternately made people laugh, cry, or fall asleep. The qanoun developed out of string instruments described in inscriptions that date to the Assyrian period.[6] It has about 26 triple-string courses, plucked with a piece of horn. The musician has the freedom to alter the pitch of individual courses from a quarter to a whole step by adjusting metal levers. Middle Eastern music also makes use of the violin, which is European in origin. The violin was adopted into Middle Eastern music in the 19th century, and it is able to produce non-Western scales that include quarter-tones because it is fretless.[7] Percussion[ed Middle Eastern music 11 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Umm Kulthum The various nations of the region include the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East, the Iranian traditions of Persia, the Jewish music of Israel and the diaspora, Armenian music. Azeri Music, the varied traditions of Cypriot music, the music of Turkey, traditional Assyrian music, Coptic ritual music in Egypt as well as other genres of Egyptian music in general. It is widely regarded that some Middle- Eastern musical styles have influenced Central Asia, as well as the Balkans and Spain. Throughout the region, religion has been a common factor in uniting peoples of different languages, cultures and nations. The predominance of Islam allowed a great deal of Arabic, and Byzantine influence to spread through the region rapidly from the 7th century onward. The Arabic scale is strongly melodic, often Phrygian Dominant and based on various maqamat (sing. maqam) or modes (also known as makam in Turkish music). The early Arabs translated and developed Greek texts and works of music and mastered the musical theory of the music of ancient Greece (i.e. Systema ametabolon, enharmonium, chromatikon, diatonon).[1] This is similar to the dastgah of Persian music. While this originates with classical music, the modal system has filtered down into folk, liturgical and even popular music, with influence from the West. Unlike much western music, Arabic music includes quarter tones halfway between notes, often through the use of stringed instruments (like the oud) or the human voice. Further distinguishing characteristics of Middle Eastern and North African music include very complex rhythmic structures, generally tense vocal tone, and a monophonic texture. Traditional Middle Eastern music does not use chords, or harmony in the Western sense. Often, more traditional Middle-Eastern music can last from one to three hours in length, building up to anxiously awaited, and much applauded climaxes, or tarab, derived from the Arabic term برط tarraba.[2] Instruments used[edit] Strings[edit] Many instruments originate in the Middle East region. Most popular of the stringed instruments is the oud, a pear- shaped lute that traditionally had four strings, although current instruments have up to six courses consisting of one or two strings each. Legend has it that the oud was invented by Lamech, the sixth grandson of Adam. This

is stated by Al-Farabi, and it is part of the Iraqi folklore relating to the instrument. Legend goes on to suggest that the first oud was inspired by the shape of his son's bleached skeleton.[3] Historically, the oldest pictorial record of the oud dates back to the Uruk period in Southern Mesopotamia over 5000 years ago. It is on a cylinder seal currently housed at the British Museum and acquired by Dr. Dominique Collon,[4] Editor of Iraq at the British Institute for the Study of Iraq.[4] Used mostly in court music for royals and the rich, the harp also comes from ancient Egypt c. 3500 BC.[5] The widespread use of the oud led to many variations on the instrument, including the saz, a Turkish long-necked lute that remains very popular in Turkey. Another popular string instrument is the qanoun, developed by Farabi during the Abbasids era. Legend has it that Farabi played qanoun in court and alternately made people laugh, cry, or fall asleep. The qanoun developed out of string instruments described in inscriptions that date to the Assyrian period.[6] It has about 26 triple-string courses, plucked with a piece of horn. The musician has the freedom to alter the pitch of individual courses from a quarter to a whole step by adjusting metal levers. Middle Eastern music also makes use of the violin, which is European in origin. The violin was adopted into Middle Eastern music in the 19th century, and it is able to produce non-Western scales that include quarter-tones because it is fretless.[7] Percussion[ed ### Multiple Choice Questions: 1. What is the most popular stringed instrument in the Middle East region? - A) Harp - B) Violin - C) Oud - D) Qanoun **Correct Answer:** C) Oud **Explanation:** The passage mentions that the oud is the most popular stringed instrument in the Middle East region. 2. Which instrument was developed by Farabi during the Abbasids era? - A) Violin - B) Harp - C) Qanoun - D) Saz **Correct Answer:** C) Qanoun **Explanation:** The qanoun was developed by Farabi during the Abbasids era, as stated in the text. 3. When was the violin adopted into Middle Eastern music? - A) 18th century - B) 16th century - C) 19th century - D) 20th century **Correct Answer:** C) 19th century **Explanation:** The passage mentions that the violin was adopted into Middle Eastern music in the 19th century. ### Fill-in-the-Blank Questions: 1. The __________ is a pear-shaped lute that is the most popular stringed instrument in the Middle East region. **Correct Answer:** oud **Explanation:** The text mentions that the oud is the most popular stringed instrument in the Middle East region. 2. The __________, with about 26 triple-string courses, is plucked with a piece of horn and allows the musician to alter the pitch of individual courses. **Correct Answer:** qanoun **Explanation:** The passage describes the qanoun as having about 26 triple-string courses and being plucked with a piece of horn.

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