IGCSE Arabic MusicNorth Africa and the Middle East
Arab Region
InstrumentsOud, Rabab, Qanun, Doumbek, Ney, Riq
Oud (Ud)
Lute – angled peg box, pear shaped body, double stringed – no frets
Click here to visit a page about the oud.
Oud music
Rebab (Rabab)
Can be either a plucked rebab or bowed rebab.
Many different versions and names.
Often replaced by a violin (fiddle).
Playing style closely resembles that of bowed instruments in Asia (erhu, rebab used in SE Asian music).
Rebab music, more
Qanun
Zither
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.
Qanun music
Ney (Nay)
Flute made from cane or reed.
Finger holes are covered to change pitch, much like a recorder.
Ney music, more
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.
Music
Riq
Tambourine
Notice how the player doesn’t shake the instrument. It is played by tapping the fingers on the head to make the jingles vibrate. By holding the instrument on its “side” the player has more control over the jingles.
Riq music
Other Instruments
There are other instruments also used in Arabic music, such as the tar, a plucked/strummed instrument, and the tabla, a double set of drums. You may also find many western instruments used in Arabic music (guitar, clarinet, bass, saxophone, etc). Jazz and Arab fusion is quite popular. One must also not forget that vocal music is important to Arabic music and will be discussion in future slides.
Lamma Bada Yatathanna
Youtube Link
Link to page about the song.
Sheet Music
Elements of Arabic Music
Heterophonic texture –
Maqam (Maqamat – plural) –
Quarter tones
Arab language and poetry
Iquaat –
Read through pgs. 30 – 33 in Music Worldwide.
Exam Questions
Name two of the pitched instruments you can hear playing in this extract.
Describe the music of the accompanying drums.
Describe the structure of the extract, referring to similarities and differences in the music.
What is the Arab name for the scale upon which the melody is based?
Apart from the instruments that are used, in what ways is this extract typical of Arab music?
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