Music in The Middle East and 12 Tone System Equal Temperament Paper

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naqrefba19

Humanities

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PART 1 (3 pts): Imagine someone asks you whether you think the 12-tone system (equal temperament) is more advanced and should be regarded as the universal absolute. In at least 150 words, refute this statement by providing key points about middle eastern musical traditions from the lectures this week. Be specific.

PART 2 (3 pts): In at least 150 words (shorter than this will affect the grade), discuss at least two concepts of middle eastern musical traditions that you noticed or learned from the lectures this week. Explain how each concept challenged your understanding/experience of music. To be specific, please provide examples. Make sure to include:

  • Concepts of music can include musical structure, texture, melodic/rhythmic mode system, tuning, ways of training and performing, improvisation, social/cultural importance etc.

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World Musics and Culture, 0809-001 Music in the Middle East Assignment 3 – due next Friday March 20, 11:59pm (Canvas) Today’s goal • Define “Middle East”? ▪ What aspects are problematic? ▪ What aspects are useful for thinking about music? • Understand basic music qualities of Middle Eastern music • Including: o Microtonality o Maqam/iqa o Taksim Questions • Based on the guest lecture on Tuesday, do you think Azerbaijan is part of the “middle east”? Why or why not? • How would you define “Middle East”? Problems with the term ”Middle East” • Geography • Excludes large regions with historical/cultural ties to “Middle East” ▪ North Africa, Iberian Peninsula, and Central Asia, and Turkey • Ethnocentric o Assumes West (along with terms “far” and “near” East). • Replacement term? “The Arab World” Problems? • Language? Arabic is most widespread language, but Problem? “The Islamic World” • Islam certainly had a profound impact on the historical and cultural ties of the region ▪ BUT ▪ other religious communities? ▪ Islam extends far beyond the region The term “middle east” is still widely used because: 1) lack of a better term 2) common usage extends beyond “middle eastern” nations • Indicates shared cultural/historical aspects of region Three reasons help spread out the musical traditions in the region: • Silk road • Spread of Islam • Ottoman Empire Texture • Melodic and Rhythmic Modes o Where else have we seen melodic and rhythmic modal systems? • Melodic modes = maqam o Mugham, muqam • Rhythmic modes= iqa Instrumentation • Oud o Fretless = microtones • Qanun o Zither • Nay o End--blown flute • Riq (frame drum) • Doumbek (goblet-shaped drum) • Violin, clarinet Maqam - melodic mode. Form the basis of melody in Middle Eastern Music • There are dozens of maqamat (plural) ▪ Regional differences ▪ around 256 makams in Turkish system Microtonality • use intervals that are smaller than Western pitch intervals • Microtonal = Less than a tone • W. European music based on tone / semi-tone division • • 12 pitches in W. European system 24 pitches in Arabic system o “Quarter tones” Maqam: 4 or 5 note segments Each has “rules” for how it is to be performed • • • • Tonic (tonal center, central note) Notes of emphasis Emotion and tone colors Upwards or downwards movement (E half flat) Iqa’ (rhythmic mode) In-class hands-on exercise – learn the rhythmic modes on doumbek drum Ex. Dulab Rast Suite • Organization of performances into suite/sets of pieces • (Turkish “fasil”; Arabic “waslah”) o “Menu” of pieces organized by melodic mode-makam. o In same or related makam o Can last 1-2 hours o Variety of instrumental and vocal pieces. Taksim Unmetered instrumental melodic improvisation • Where have we seen something similar? Improvisation within rules • Modulation: change from one key to another *In-class demonstration: nay (side-blown flute) taksim in maqam Rast on C Dulab: short opening composed section Semai: composed movement, typically in 10 beats Texture 1. Heterophonic ensemble sound 2. based on single melody or melody+drone 3. simultaneous variation 4. ALSO: Melody played differently each time 5. Where have we seen something similar? Listening example - Ex. Tahmila suznak Listen for: 1) Heterophonic texture 2) Sounds of Individual instruments 3) Taksim Ex. “Tahmila Suznak” by Michigan Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaICCBOub7g Questions: 3 characteristics that distinguish middle eastern music from other musical traditions we’ve covered in class
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Concepts of Music Discussions
Part 1
Middle Eastern music presents complex structures in rhythm and tone and hence presents
alternatives to the common Western 12-tone system (equal temperament). It would be
unrealistic to make the 12-TET a universal absolute for tuning because this would rid Middle
Eastern music of its authenticity. One of the unique characteristics is the microtonalit...


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Awesome! Perfect study aid.

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