MENAME Fall 2016 schedule

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Week 1: Sep 1

Lecture and exercise segment (6:30 to 7:30)

  • Course introduction: ethnomusicology, world music, Middle East and North Africa. Focus on Music of Syria.
  • Note: there is some homework due next week (via eClass); always look for the homework assignment on the day it is due.

Rehearsal segment: (7:30 to 9:30)

  • Masmudi and Malfuf
  • Ya Tira Tiri

http://bit.ly/yatiratiri (Sabah Fakhri)
http://bit.ly/yatiratiri2 (Rouwaida Attieh)
http://bit.ly/yatiratiri3 (Sabah Fakhri, starting with mawwal (vocal improvisation) and segueing into Ya Mal al-Sham)

  • Lamma Bada

Week 2: Sep 8

Homework (due today)

Remember homework is always due on the day it is listed, before class! You must submit reading reviews for each reading to me by email before class on Thursday! Remember: In this review, you should demonstrate that you’ve completed the assignment (by telling me what it’s about), and that you’ve thought about it (by telling me what you think of it). Use the eClass site to submit all assignments. (All assignments due on a particular day will be submitted together, since eClass provides a single link each Thursday.) For more details on assignments, see course outline above.

Read & review:

Browse: http://maqamworld.com, and Theory section of our website, especially for the maqam (Hijaz) and durub we introduced last week.

Lecture and exercise segment

  • Course outline and welcome!
  • Introduction to music of the Middle East, focus on Mashriq
  • Overview of tonal and rhythmic theory
  • Durub: Review of durub introduced last week (masmudi and malfuf); Introduction to maqsum, sa`idi, wahda, sama`i thaqil (note: you can find overviews of rhythms at http://bit.ly/mename under "theory")
  • Maqam: Review of Rast and Suznak; introduction to Hijaz Kar


  • Music theory and terminology:
    • Darb (lit. "strike"), plural durub: rhythmic concept (also known as iqa` or wazn or usul). We introduced 4 durub: wahda - maqsum - masmudi - malfuf. See my chart for definitions.
    • Dulab (literally "wheel"): a short, precomposed, introductory instrumental form. See forms at maqamworld.com
    • Maqam (lit. "station"), plural maqamat: tonal concept (something like "scale" but using a wider range of pitch material, and including melodic and ornamentation characteristics). There are dozens of different maqamat. See maqamworld.com
    • Maqam Rast
    • Taqsim: an instrumental improvisation in a maqam.
    • Mawwal: vocal improvisation in a maqam, with text (which is not necessarily a "mawwal" in the literary sense)
    • Layali: vocal improvisation in a maqam, using "nonsense" syllables, usually "ya `ayn, ya layl".
    • Muwashshah: classical strophic poetry originating in Andalusia; can make use of multiple rhymes and meters
    • Qasida: original form of Arabic poetry, single rhyme and meter


See http://maqamworld.com for more on maqam, darb, and forms

See the course's Theory section for more information about maqam, darb, and music theory generally.


(note: these terms will also come up in your readings)

Rehearsal

  • From last time:
    • Ya Tira Tiri
  • New:
    • Ya Shadi al-Alhan
    • Dulab Rast
    • Samai Rast
    • Murr al-Tijanni (listening only)

Week 3: Sep 15

Homework due

Read and submit reviews for the following readings:

As before LISTEN as much as possible, using the 3rd stream technique (first listen, then listen and sing / clap, then just sing/clap - and repeat with an instrument if you play one). Apply this approach to the maqamat, the durub, and the songs and instrumental pieces. Use http://maqamworld.com for examples of maqamat and for some of the durub (and for the latter you have also your durub charts, which you can also fine online at bit.ly/mename under "theory")

For next time (Sep 15) please be able to:

  1. clap and say maqsum (dum tek iss tek dum iss tek iss); masmudi (dum dum tek iss dum iss tek iss); and sa`idi (dum tek iss dum dum iss tek iss). Optionally: experiment with variations.
  2. sing maqam Rast ascending and descending, following the melodies you can hear on maqamworld.com (http://maqamworld.com/maqamat/rast.html ) under “Hear this maqam”


Our maqamat thus far:

  • Rast
  • Suznak
  • Hijaz Kar

Our durub thus far:

  • Wahda
  • Masmudi
  • Maqsum
  • Sa`idi
  • Malfuf

Film segment (6:30 to 7:30)

Please arrive on time to watch this film: Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt

Rehearsal

  • Maqamat: Rast, Suznak, Hijaz Kar
  • Durub: Wahda, Masmudi, Maqsum, Sa`idi, Malfuf....Bamb, Ciftetelli


Review:

  • Dulab Rast
  • Samai Rast
  • Tira tiri
  • Ya Shadi al-Alhan
    • Lamma Bada

New:

  • Ya Mal al-Sham
  • Dulab Hijaz Kar
  • Samai Hijaz Kar
  • Murr al-Tijanni

Week 4: Sep 22

Homework due


Just one or at most two paragraphs for each work is fine - but be sure you cover the main points!

Lecture segment (6:30 to 7:30)

Introduction to Maqam and Ajnas theory

Maqamat:

  • Rast
  • Suznak
  • Huzam
  • Hijaz Kar
  • Nahawand

Ajnas:

  • Rast
  • Hijaz
  • Nahwand

Durub:

  • Wahda
  • Masmudi
  • Maqsum
  • Sa`idi
  • Malfuf
  • Bamb
  • Ciftetelli

Rehearsal

Rast:

  • Ya Tira Tiri
  • Ya Mal al-Sham
  • Ya Shadi al-Alhan

Hijaz Kar and Nahawand:

  • Murr al-Tajanni
  • Lamma Bada
  • Ya Mariya

Week 5: Sep 29

Announcements:

  • Performance: Oct 14

Homework

Lecture and exercise segment

  • Durub: Wahda, Maqsum, Masmudi, Sa`idi, Bamb, Malfuf, Ciftetelli, Sama`i Thaqil, Masmudi Kabir
  • Ajnas: Hijaz (A), Hijaz (E), Rast (D), Ajam (F), Nahawand (D), Ajam (F); Rast (C), Hijaz (G), Sika (Ed)
  • Maqamat in bold (ajnas in normal font)
    • Hijaz Kar A (Suzidil) = Hijaz (A) + Hijaz (E) or Hijaz (A) + Nahawand (D) or Hijaz (A) + Rast (D)
    • Nahawand (D) = Nahawand (D) + Hijaz (A)
    • Ajam (F) = Ajam (F)+ Ajam (C)
    • Rast (C) = Rast (C) + Rast (G)
    • Suznak (C) = Rast (C) + Hijaz (G)


Rehearsal

  • Rast
    • Dulab Rast
    • Samai Rast (first khana and taslim)
    • Review Syrian wasla in Rast (Dulab, Ya Tira Tiri, Ya Mal al-Sham, Ya Shadi al-Alhan)
  • Hijaz Kar
    • Dulab Hijaz Kar
    • Samai Hijaz Kar
    • Murr al-Tajanni
    • Lamma Bada (Nahawand)
    • Ya Mariya
  • Nahawand
    • Ya Mahla al-Fusha

Week 6: Oct 6

Homework

Rehearsal

Note: Optional meeting next week for those going to perform for the Syrian refugees.

Note: from now on please find all repertoire media files on the ensemble's repertoire pages: http://bit.ly/menamerep

Rhythms:

  • Ciftetelli
  • Sama`i Thaqil

Pieces:

Week 7: Oct 13: Quiz #1

NOTE: the first quiz will be held TODAY, Oct 13, from 6:30 - 7:15, comprising short answers and identification of countries on a map. Credit students - please arrive on time! The second quiz will be held next week.

Review for quiz. Know terms and map (including also location of Tanzania).


Note:

  • Rehearsal from 7:00 to 9:30.
  • Performance tomorrow evening!
  • The second quiz (identifications) will be held next week (Feb 25). I will distribute a review sheet by email and link to this site also.


Homework

None - just review for the quiz.

Rehearsal

Week 8: Oct 20: Quiz #2

NOTE: The second quiz will be held TODAY, Oct 20, from 6:30 to 7:15 PM.

Review:

Please be ready to identify all the pieces we've performed so far, and say something (1-3 sentences) about them, including the following sorts of information (as available - not all information is available for every song or piece):

  • the title
  • the maqam and darb
  • the names of the composer and lyricist (if known)
  • the genre (type of music, e.g. muwashshah, dulab)
  • the source culture or country/region (e.g. Lebanese, Omani)

I will play a recording; you will provide the above information. You don't have to know anything about these songs that we haven't discussed in class, and there isn't always a definite "right" answer. I'm just looking to see what information you can provide.

Here is the list of pieces to know: (see http://bit.ly/menamerep) [TBA]

I will play an excerpt from the recording and then you'll write 1-3 sentences about the piece.

You will also be asked to identify:

  • Durub: be able to identify the following 6 durub: wahda - maqsum - masmudi - malfuf - masmudi kabir - sama`i thaqil (refer to your theory sheets or maqamworld for examples. Note that ordinary masmudi is also called "masmudi saghir"). I will play the rhythms on a drum.
  • Ajnas: be able to identify these 6 ajnas: and begin to distinguish them by ear. I will play these examples in class. DON'T WORRY IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE - JUST DO YOUR BEST!

Also see http://www.fwalive.ualberta.ca/~michaelf/Theory/ for theory.

Homework

None. Just prepare for the quiz.

Rehearsal

  • Bayyati tetrachord, mixed with Yekah = Rast on G (aka Nairouz) and Sika (Iraq - Bayyati on D)
  • Maqam Bayyati (with either Rast or Nahawand above - or Hijaz = Bayyati shuri)
  • Ciftetelli & taqasim
  • Shambar halabi
  • Dulab Hijaz
  • Il Hilwa Di
  • Ya Hilwat ad-Dar: review and add second verse
  • Bomwanzani wa Mahaba - review
  • Dabka!
  • Review of other pieces thus far (including Foug al-Nakhal and Qadduka al-Mayyas - new to those who didn't participate last week).
  • Review program for Sunday

Week 9: Oct 27. Possible retake of map quiz immediately after class, 9:30 - 9:45 pm

FILM: 6:30 - 7:36 As old as my tongue (on Bi Kidude). Credit students: watch and take notes!

Homework

Rehearsal

Focus on:

Week 10: Nov 3

Homework

Muslim religious chant - adhan and Qur'anic recitations - reflect the various styles of music in the region. They also impact it, because many singers are trained through such recitations. We saw a clear instance in the case of Umm Kulthum, but such training is common to many singers.

  • Read and review each of the following (just two paragraphs on each).
  • Read, listen, analyze: what differences do you hear?
    • Read and listen and submit your comments on the differences you hear between the different styles of performing the Call to Prayer (adhan).
    • Read and listen and submit your comments on the differences you hear between the different styles of performing Qur'anic recitation.

Lecture segment: Adhan and Qur'an

  • About Adhan and Qur'an
  • Relation to melody
    • Maqamat
    • "Melodies of the Arabs" (Hadith)

Adhan:

  • Islam's link to Ethiopia - the first hijra; and the freed slave Bilal, first mu'adhdhin - spiritual progenitor of Keita dynasty (Mali) and various sub-saharan subcultures of North Africa (e.g. Gnawa)
  • Origin of adhan (see 1:20:00)
  • Map of adhan and performance styles
    • Melody
    • Group
    • Local musical sound

Qur'an:

For those who are interested, here are some links on Arabic script and calligraphy:

Rehearsal

Review:

New: percussion piece

  • Rhythms of the sea
  • Dabke?

Newer:

  • Taqsim on Ajam D and Saba Zemzem F#
  • Ya Hilwat al-Dar [1]
  • Halat dimu` (English text and notation coming...) [2] (Saudi song - samri; composed and sung by Saudi's most famous singer, Mohamed Abdu)

Week 11: Nov 10

Homework

Read and review:

Rehearsal

Week 12: Nov 17

Homework

Rehearsal: starts at 6:30 this week!!

We'll be reviewing our entire repertoire. Please practice hard this week! Last rehearsal before our big concert on Nov 24! Please arrive promptly a few minutes before 6:30 so we can begin on time!


Week 13: Nov 24 (MENAME concert this Saturday, Nov 26!)

  • NB: possible extra rehearsals this week (?)
  • Final concert: Nov 26 in Convocation Hall

Homework

Week 14: Dec 1 (for credit students only)

  • Final quiz and makeups

Week 16: Dec 15 (for credit graduate students only)

  • Final paper due.
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