Eastern Mediterranean & Middle East
What? Music of the Eastern Mediterranean & The Middle East is at the heart of how people interact with each other in society. Although music-making is important in gatherings of men, it is now also a part of celebrations, such as weddings, community expression, celebrations and extensively broadcast on radio and television.
Where? Middle Eastern music spans a vast area from Morocco to Iran.
When? Since the 7th Century
Who? The music is heavily influenced by the Abrahamic Religions.
Structure - A hierarchy of notes exists, including the first note played, which is known as a rast. Notes are combined in a variety of scales known as maqam, which are similar to modes. These are divided into sets of three, four or five notes and used as the basis for a mixture of pre-planned and improvised performance.
Instruments - Traditional instruments in the Middle East are widely varied. The mizmar is a double-reed instrument with a set of finger-holes and flared bell. The ney is a simple wooden flute, whilst the mijwiz is a double bamboo flute requiring circular breathing.
How the instruments interact - There are generally no chords as in western harmony. Musical texture is often monophonic or makes extensive use of octaves and similar motion melodic movement.
What? Music of the Eastern Mediterranean & The Middle East is at the heart of how people interact with each other in society. Although music-making is important in gatherings of men, it is now also a part of celebrations, such as weddings, community expression, celebrations and extensively broadcast on radio and television.
Where? Middle Eastern music spans a vast area from Morocco to Iran.
When? Since the 7th Century
Who? The music is heavily influenced by the Abrahamic Religions.
Structure - A hierarchy of notes exists, including the first note played, which is known as a rast. Notes are combined in a variety of scales known as maqam, which are similar to modes. These are divided into sets of three, four or five notes and used as the basis for a mixture of pre-planned and improvised performance.
Instruments - Traditional instruments in the Middle East are widely varied. The mizmar is a double-reed instrument with a set of finger-holes and flared bell. The ney is a simple wooden flute, whilst the mijwiz is a double bamboo flute requiring circular breathing.
How the instruments interact - There are generally no chords as in western harmony. Musical texture is often monophonic or makes extensive use of octaves and similar motion melodic movement.