Introducing maqamat: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:20, 21 March 2021

Maqam:
- literally "place", "station".
- In music of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia: melodic mode (also sometimes a suite featuring a particular mode)
- Sometimes other names are used: dastgah in Iran, Tab` in North Africa
Maqam in music: a transposable pitch collection, with:
- (1) tonal functions, including tonic, dominant, like major/minor, but adding also:
- (2) melodic patterns (opening, development, points of repose or tension, closing formulas)
- (3) "microtones"
"Microtones" (the term is relative!) - intervals outside either 12TET or low-integer "just" intonations (e.g. Pythagorean={2,3} or 5 limit={2,3,5}
Due to these variables, the maqamat are numerous!
- a dozen or more in Egypt
- many dozens in Turkey
Saltana: getting the maqam stuck in your head!
Maqam Bayyati and its ajnas.
Maqam Shuri and its ajnas.
Sing and use this tuner to check your intonation
Ah Ya Hilu
General theory

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 * Maqam:
 ** literally "place", "station".
-** In music of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia: melodic mode
+** In music of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia: melodic mode (also sometimes a suite featuring a particular mode)
-*** Transposable  pitch collection, with*
+** Sometimes other names are used:  dastgah in Iran, Tab` in North Africa
-****(1) tonal functions, like major/minor, but adding also:
+* Maqam in music: a transposable  pitch collection, with:
-****(2) melodic patterns,  and
+**(1) tonal functions, including tonic, dominant, like major/minor, but adding also:
-****(3) "microtones"
+**(2) melodic patterns (opening, development, points of repose or tension, closing formulas)
-*** "Microtones" (the term is relative!) - intervals outside either 12TET or low-integer "just" intonations (e.g. Pythagorean={2,3} or 5 limit={2,3,5}
+**(3) "microtones"
-*** Therefore there are many maqamat!
+* "Microtones" (the term is relative!) - intervals outside either 12TET or low-integer "just" intonations (e.g. Pythagorean={2,3} or 5 limit={2,3,5}
-** suite featuring a particular mode
+* Due to these variables, the maqamat are numerous!
-* Saltana
+** a dozen or more in Egypt
+** many dozens in Turkey
+* Saltana: getting the maqam stuck in your head!
 * [https://www.maqamworld.com/en/maqam/bayati.php Maqam Bayyati] and its ajnas.
 * [https://www.maqamworld.com/en/maqam/bayati_shuri.php Maqam Shuri] and its ajnas.