In the nooks and corners of Arabic music
There is no doubt about the fact that Arabic music surely sounds a
far lot different than any form of Western music. A distinctly clear
drum beat is heard most of the times in the sound without any particular
musical or vocal accompaniment.
There is no doubt about the fact that Arabic music surely sounds a far
lot different than any form of Western music. A distinctly clear drum
beat is heard most of the times in the sound without any particular
musical or vocal accompaniment. A novice about musical notes can even
hear a simple humming sound in any piece and make out that it is rather
an Arabic tune that might be playing. The question therefore lies
whether it’s the instruments, the beats or the musical composition as a
whole that gives this unique touch to Arabic music. Descriptions about
Arabic music often are attached with a lot of technicalities.
Rhythms are the driving force behind the sound of Arabic music. The
melody is led by the rhythms and varies throughout seldom being
constant. Western music is guided by a set of standard tempos. This
particular aspect is missing in Arabic music. Introduction of such notes
are generally in free or arrhythmic way, which in technical terms is
termed as taqassim, which means division.
The vocalist participating in Arabic music is granted com plete
freedom from the tempo or rhythm, especially in cases where the same is
not accompanied by any sort of rhythmic instrument. Western music is
more of a break down sort, while Arabic music is set in a series of
irregular patterns with one followed by another. The patterns can
sometimes turn into very complex pieces, at times even conjuring more
than 40 beats at a time. There are several genres that are covered by
this form of music, including Arabic classical or Arabic pop or even
Arabic secular or sacred forms. The history behind the formation of
Arabic music is long, and has a lot of connections with several other
cultures and religions.
Musical styles from various other regions have also contributed
heavily by inspiring Arabic music. Egypt, Greece, Persia, Turkey, India,
North Africa and several such places have been a part of the creation of
this wonderful art form. For instance, the Arabs practiced and mastered
the Greek arts and musical theory for inspiration. The mystic nature of
exorcism and magic often is captured by Arabic musicians, because of the
country’s heritage and past, the roots from where such form of music has
taken shape. Recent Arabic music has however moved on from being more
based on the popular culture rather than the religious sanctity that it
carried all along. In the late 90’s, an Arabic song called “Habibi”
became not only an instant runaway hit all over the Arabian Peninsula,
but also chartered other territories and captured the imagination of
music lovers worldwide. Three music civilizations were punched together
into one in this particular track. Rock music, like any other part of
the world is also as popular all over Arab. Hence, to cater to the local
demand of the people, lately a large number of new rock bands have
cropped up in the area.
There is also a particular pattern that the singers of Arabic music
maintain while practicing their vocals. Virtuoso singers who sing
lengthy, heavily ornamented tunes are known to have garnered the largest
amount of public attention and taken the market by storm. The “takht” is
the most common form of musical instrument that is used primarily in the
Arabic compositions. Instruments like the cello, the electric guitar,
and likes are also being adopted by the Arabian culture and incorporated
in their music, more so with their popularity being on the rise. The
young musicians however, make it a point not to neglect their
traditional musical accompaniments in doing the same. |
