Topic: Middle Eastern Musical Structure: Maqam & More
Learn about some of the things that make Middle Eastern music distinct from Western music by reading "Part 1: Near Eastern Music Theory for Dancers" you will have to scroll down a little to get to this section. Also peruse the Maqam World website. You can find some nice definitions on there of various musical forms. Get to know these musical terms:
- Monophonic – no chords
- Maqam pl. Maqamat – a specific set of musical notes
- Jins pl.Ajnas – a segment of a maqam
- Modulation Improvisation
- Taksim
- Aman – vocal taksim
- Mawal – vocal taksim
- Doulab – introductory taksim
- Flourishes
- Repetition
- Mircrotones & Quartertones
- Takht – basic classical Arabic musical ensemble: oud, qanun, nay, kamanga and rik
Look for the beginning and ending of musical phrases in the song you are working with and make a song map, like the one I showed you in class, finding the musical phrases, counting how many beats they take up and labeling them A, B, C and so on, noting where it repeats.
After making the map, see if you can identify special parts of the music. Is there a Doulab, Mawal, Aman or Taksim? If so what instruments are highlighted or what is the vocalist singing? Are there special flourishes? Are there repetitions? What are the variations in the repetitions? What is the size of the ensemble playing the music?
After taking time to examine and understand your music, consider how this effects how you dance to the song. Are their cues as to when to travel and when not to for example? Are their cues for when to exude a certain emotional energy?
Listen to a few different maqamat from maqam world. Explore the feeling and energy of them. See how you respond emotionally to one vs. another. Another resource that Nina pointed out to me was the common maqamat sheet music on Dorku.com, so feel free to check it out (and turn your musician friends on to this site.