MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC

The 'music of the Middle Eastern and North Africa' spans across a vast region, from Morocco to Iran, and it's influences can be felt even further afield. Middle Eastern music influenced (and has been influenced by) the to music of Greece and India music, as well as Central Asia, Spain, the Caucasus and the Balkans, as in chalga. The various nations of the region include the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East and North Africa, the Persian tradition of Iran, the music of Turkey, various Jewish traditions from Israel, the Kurdish music, Berbers of North Africa, and the Coptic Christians in Egypt all maintain their own traditions.
Throughout the region, religion has been a common factor in uniting peoples of different languages, cultures and nations. The predominance of Islam allowed a great deal of Arabic influence to spread through the region rapidly from the 7th century onward. The Arabic scale is strongly melodic, based around various maqam or modes (also known as makam in Turkish music). This is similar to the dastgah of Persian music. While this originates with classical music, the modal system has filtered down into folk, liturgical and even popular music. Unlike much western music, Arabic music includes quarter tones halfway between notes, often through the use of stringed instruments (like the oud) or the human voice. Further distinguishing characteristics of Middle Eastern and North African music include very complex rhythmic structures, generally tense vocal tone, and a homophonic texture.

Contents

Regions & Styles

See also

External links

Regions & Styles

''Arabic Classical Music''

''Algerian Rai''

''Arabic Pop''

''Christian Liturgical'' (Coptic, Maronite, etc)

''Egyptian Chaabi & Al-Geel''

''Berber Music''

''Israeli Music''

''Kurdish Music''

''Nubian Music''

''Persian Classical Music''

''Persian Folk Music''

''Raks Sharqi''

''Sufi Music''

''Turkish Classical Music''

''Turkish Folk Music''

See also

★ Arabesque music

★ Arabic music

★ Egyptian music

★ Lebanese music

★ Turkish music

★ Israeli music

★ Persian music

★ Syrian music

★ Armenian music

★ Assyrian music

★ Kurdish music

★ Azeri music

★ Jordanian music

★ Palestinian music

★ Iraqi music

★ Greek music

★ Raï

★ Berber music

★ Central Asian music

★ Turbo-folk

★ Skiladiko [σκυλάδικα]

★ Music of Afghanistan

★ Dubai Lime

External links

★ An introduction to Middle Eastern music

★ Original Music in the Middle East