Discovering the Music of the Middle East

Summary

This script explores the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Middle East, tracing its influence on composers like Mozart and Beethoven. It highlights key instruments such as the Oud, the darbuka, and the santour, and their role in both classical and folk music. The video examines how rhythm, melody, and ornamentation define Middle Eastern music, noting its variations, such as the use of complex rhythms with beats in odd time signatures. It also touches on the cultural exchange between the Middle East and the Balkans, showcasing shared instruments and music styles, and provides examples of various performances from across the region.

Takeaways

• 😀 The music of the Middle East has a long tradition and has influenced composers like Rimsky-Korsakov, Chahadourian, Mozart, and Beethoven.
• 😀 Middle Eastern music has roots in countries surrounding the Eastern Mediterranean, each with distinct musical traditions that evolved over time.
• 😀 The spread of Muhammad’s followers in the 7th century led to the blending of musical elements across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
• 😀 The Oud is a prominent instrument in Middle Eastern music, known for its ability to produce closely spaced notes and slide between them.
• 😀 The Dabka, a small drum, creates rhythmic accompaniment in Middle Eastern music, often providing excitement alongside melodies.
• 😀 Middle Eastern music typically emphasizes melody and rhythm more than harmony or chords, a feature common in the region's musical traditions.
• 😀 Zither family instruments, such as the Santour, are vital to Middle Eastern music, with some played using mallets.
• 😀 There are two primary types of Middle Eastern music: classical, associated with nobility, and folk, associated with the common people.
• 😀 Middle Eastern rhythms are diverse and more intricate than those in Western music, often using time signatures with 5, 7, 9, or 11 beats.
• 😀 The cultural exchange between the Middle East and the Balkans is reflected in the similar use of musical instruments, such as the Oud, Canon, and Zither family members like the Symbolum.

Q & A

What is the significance of Middle Eastern music in global music history?

Middle Eastern music has had a profound influence on global music, impacting composers like Rimsky-Korsakov, Khachaturian, Mozart, and Beethoven. The music from this region contributed to the development of melodies, rhythms, and even instrumental techniques that spread across Europe and other parts of the world.

Which region is referred to when talking about 'the Middle East' in the context of this script?

The Middle East, in this context, refers to the countries surrounding the Eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, including parts of North Africa, the Balkans, and the Arabian Peninsula.

How did the spread of Islam influence Middle Eastern music?

The spread of Islam, beginning in the 7th century, led to the diffusion of musical traditions from various regions across North Africa, Spain, and the Balkans. The Islamic conquests brought together different musical styles, which then influenced the entire Middle Eastern music landscape.

What role does the Oud play in Middle Eastern music?

The Oud is a central instrument in Middle Eastern music, belonging to the lute family. It is known for its ability to play closely spaced notes and smooth transitions between them, allowing for complex melodies with ornamental notes, which have deeply influenced the music of the region.

What is the Dabka and how does it relate to Middle Eastern music?

The Dabka is a traditional dance from the Balkans, specifically Turkey, and is often accompanied by music that highlights complex rhythms, such as a nine-beat pattern. The dance portrays warrior movements, and its rhythms are integral to Middle Eastern and Balkan music traditions.

What is the Dabiqe, and how does it contribute to Middle Eastern music?

The Dabiqe is a small drum made of fire-hardened clay with a goat skin head. It is a popular rhythm instrument in Middle Eastern music, capable of producing a variety of sounds that complement melodic instruments like the Oud, contributing to the exciting and diverse rhythms of the region.

What is the Santour and how is it played?

The Santour is a zither-like instrument with many strings, played using two wooden mallets. It is an important part of the musical tradition in the Middle East and is used in both classical and folk music settings.

How does Middle Eastern music differ from Western music in terms of harmony?

Middle Eastern music typically emphasizes melody and rhythm rather than harmony or chords. Unlike Western music, which often focuses on harmonic structures, Middle Eastern compositions generally feature intricate melodic lines and complex rhythmic patterns with less emphasis on chord progressions.

What is the significance of rhythm in Middle Eastern music?

Rhythm in Middle Eastern music is highly varied and often complex, with compositions using time signatures such as 5, 7, 9, 10, or even 11 beats per measure. These unconventional rhythms contribute to the energetic and dynamic nature of the music, often accompanying dances.

How are the musical instruments of the Balkans related to those of the Middle East?

The musical instruments of the Balkans, such as the Zither family instruments (e.g., the Cymbalum) and drums like the Dabka, share strong similarities with those used in the Middle East. This connection is due to the historical influence of the Turkish occupation of the Balkans, which brought Middle Eastern musical traditions to the region.