🎵Music of the Middle East Unit 4 – Middle Eastern Rhythms and Structures

Historical Context

• Middle Eastern music has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with influences from ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia
• Islamic Golden Age (8th-13th centuries) saw significant developments in music theory, including the systematization of rhythms and modes (maqamat)
• Ottoman Empire (14th-20th centuries) played a crucial role in the dissemination and evolution of Middle Eastern music across the region
• Sufi mysticism has had a profound impact on the spiritual and devotional aspects of Middle Eastern music (Sufi whirling dervishes)
• Colonial era and Western influence led to the introduction of new instruments and musical styles, as well as the preservation of traditional forms through ethnomusicological research
• Post-World War II period saw the rise of nationalist movements and the incorporation of folk music elements into popular and classical genres (Umm Kulthum, Fairuz)
• Globalization and diaspora communities have contributed to the spread and fusion of Middle Eastern music with other world music traditions

Key Rhythmic Patterns

• Iqa' (rhythmic modes) form the foundation of Middle Eastern rhythms, consisting of specific patterns of accented and unaccented beats
• Maqsum is a common 4/4 rhythm characterized by the pattern "dum tak tak dum dum tak" (dum = low sound, tak = high sound)
  • Frequently used in popular and folk music genres across the Middle East
• Samai Thaqil is a 10/8 rhythm with the pattern "dum tak tak dum tak dum dum tak tak dum"
  • Often associated with classical Ottoman and Arabic music
• Ayub is a 2/4 rhythm with the pattern "dum tak"
  • Commonly used in fast-paced dance and folk music (dabke)
• Nawakht is a 7/4 rhythm with the pattern "dum tak tak dum tak tak dum"
  • Found in various classical and folk music traditions, particularly in Iran and Azerbaijan
• Polymeter and polyrhythm are frequently employed, creating complex and interlocking rhythmic structures (3 against 4, 5 against 6)
• Rhythmic improvisation and ornamentation are integral to Middle Eastern music, with musicians adding embellishments and variations to the basic patterns

Instruments and Timbre

• Oud, a pear-shaped fretless lute, is considered the "king of instruments" in Middle Eastern music
  • Produces a warm, rich tone and allows for expressive pitch bending and ornamentation
• Nay, an end-blown reed flute, is associated with Sufi mysticism and spiritual music
  • Has a soft, breathy timbre and is capable of producing microtonal intervals
• Qanun, a plucked zither with a trapezoidal soundboard, is known for its shimmering, cascading sound
  • Played with finger picks and has a range of around 3.5 octaves
• Violin is widely used in Middle Eastern music, often played in a vertical position on the knee
  • Techniques such as glissando, vibrato, and microtonal inflections are employed to mimic the human voice
• Riq, a small tambourine with five pairs of cymbals, provides a crisp, metallic percussion sound
  • Used to maintain the rhythm and add accents and embellishments
• Darbuka (or doumbek), a goblet-shaped drum, is the primary percussion instrument in many Middle Eastern ensembles
  • Produces a variety of tones and timbres through different striking techniques (fingers, palm, rim)
• Buzuq, a long-necked fretted lute, is commonly used in Levantine and Turkish music
  • Has a bright, metallic tone and is often played with a plectrum

Melodic Structures

• Maqamat (singular: maqam) are the melodic modes used in Middle Eastern music, each with a unique set of intervals, scale degrees, and characteristic phrases
  • Maqamat are based on a system of seven main notes and various microtonal intervals (quarter tones)
• Tonic (rast) serves as the central pitch and point of resolution in each maqam
• Ajnas are the smaller melodic units that make up a maqam, each spanning a tetrachord or pentachord
  • Different combinations and transpositions of ajnas create the unique character of each maqam
• Melodic development in Middle Eastern music often follows a specific progression, starting with an exposition of the main maqam, followed by modulations to related maqamat and a return to the original maqam
• Improvisation (taqsim) is a central feature of Middle Eastern music, allowing musicians to showcase their creativity and technical skill within the framework of the maqamat
  • Taqsim often serves as an introduction or interlude between composed pieces
• Ornamentation, such as trills, mordents, and slides, is extensively used to add expressiveness and highlight the microtonal intervals of the maqamat
• Call-and-response patterns between the soloist and ensemble are common, creating a sense of dialogue and interaction

Cultural Significance

• Music plays a vital role in various aspects of Middle Eastern culture, including religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and celebrations
• Islamic call to prayer (adhan) is a form of melodic recitation that serves as a powerful symbol of faith and identity
• Sufi music, particularly the whirling dervish ceremonies (Sema), is an essential part of the spiritual practice and seeks to induce a state of ecstatic union with the divine
• Wedding celebrations often feature lively music and dance, with genres such as dabke and halay bringing communities together
• Music is used as a means of storytelling and preserving oral traditions, with epic ballads and folk songs passing down histories and legends through generations
• Political and social commentary is often expressed through music, with artists using their platforms to address issues such as war, oppression, and social justice (Marcel Khalife, Fela Kuti)
• Music education is highly valued in Middle Eastern cultures, with institutions such as the Arabic Music Academy in Cairo and the Tehran Conservatory of Music preserving and transmitting traditional knowledge

Regional Variations

• Arabic music encompasses a wide range of styles and traditions, from the classical Andalusian music of North Africa to the Gulf region's Khaleeji music
  • Distinctive features include the use of maqamat, the prominence of the oud and qanun, and the importance of vocal improvisation
• Turkish music has been influenced by Ottoman court music, as well as folk traditions from Anatolia and the Balkans
  • Characterized by the use of Turkish maqamat (makamlar), the prominence of the ney and kanun, and the development of fasıl (suite) form
• Persian music, with its rich history dating back to ancient times, is known for its sophisticated modal system (dastgah) and the importance of poetry in vocal music
  • Instruments such as the tar (long-necked lute) and kamancheh (spiked fiddle) are central to Persian music
• Kurdish music, spread across several countries in the Middle East, is characterized by the use of folk instruments like the tanbur (long-necked lute) and the prominence of dance rhythms (govend)
• Berber music of North Africa incorporates elements of sub-Saharan African music, with the use of pentatonic scales and rhythms like the guedra
• Jewish music in the Middle East, such as Sephardic and Mizrahi traditions, has been influenced by the music of the surrounding cultures while maintaining distinct liturgical and folk repertoires

Performance Techniques

• Ornamentation is a crucial aspect of Middle Eastern music performance, with musicians using techniques such as vibrato, trills, and mordents to add expressiveness and highlight microtonal intervals
  • Oud players often use a technique called "risha" (tremolo) to create a sustained, shimmering effect
• Pitch bending and glissando are frequently employed, particularly on instruments like the oud, violin, and nay, to mimic the inflections of the human voice
• Percussionists use a variety of striking techniques to produce different timbres and tones on instruments like the darbuka and riq
  • "Dum" refers to a low, deep sound produced by striking the center of the drum, while "tak" is a sharp, high-pitched sound produced by striking the rim
• Vocal techniques such as melisma (singing multiple notes per syllable) and tahrir (rapid oscillation between adjacent pitches) are used to showcase the singer's skill and emotional expression
• Heterophonic texture is common in Middle Eastern music, with musicians playing the same melody simultaneously but with individual variations and ornamentations
• Improvisation is a fundamental skill for Middle Eastern musicians, requiring a deep understanding of the maqamat, rhythmic patterns, and cultural context
  • Musicians often engage in a form of musical dialogue during improvisation, responding to and building upon each other's ideas

Modern Adaptations

• Fusion with Western music has led to the emergence of new genres, such as Arabic jazz and Oriental metal
  • Artists like Rabih Abou-Khalil and Dhafer Youssef have incorporated elements of jazz harmony and improvisation into traditional Middle Eastern forms
• Electronic music production has allowed for the integration of Middle Eastern sounds and rhythms into genres like hip-hop, techno, and ambient (Muslimgauze, Acid Arab)
• Film and television soundtracks have played a significant role in popularizing Middle Eastern music globally, with composers like Ennio Morricone and Hans Zimmer incorporating elements of Middle Eastern music into their scores
• World music festivals and collaborations have provided opportunities for Middle Eastern musicians to showcase their talents and engage with artists from other cultures
  • The Silk Road Ensemble, founded by Yo-Yo Ma, has featured prominent Middle Eastern musicians such as Kayhan Kalhor and Hossein Alizadeh
• Online platforms and social media have made Middle Eastern music more accessible to global audiences, allowing for the discovery of new artists and the preservation of traditional styles
• Sampling and digital manipulation of Middle Eastern sounds have become popular in electronic and experimental music, with artists like Björk and Four Tet incorporating elements of Middle Eastern music into their work