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Traditional Middle Eastern music does not use chords, or harmony in the Western sense. Often, more traditional Middle-Eastern music can last from one to three hours in length, building up to anxiously awaited, and much applauded climaxes, or tarab , derived from the Arabic term طرب tarraba .
May 14, 2024 · Our next Arabic instrument is the Mirwas. It is a double-headed drum that originally came from the Middle East. It was widely used in the traditional music of Kuwait and Yemen. The Mirwas is a small hand drum, meaning it is played using hands instead of sticks or mallets. You hold the drum with one hand and use the other to play on it.
The music in Iraq began to take a more Western tone during the 1960s and 1970s, notably by Ilham Madfai, with his Western guitar stylings with traditional Iraqi music which made him a popular performer in his native country and throughout the Middle East.
Middle Eastern music is built on the maqam system, a set of melodic modes with unique scales and characters. These modes use microtones and monophonic textures, creating a distinct sound. The music also features complex rhythms called iqa'at, which drive the music forward. Improvisation is key in Middle Eastern music, with
Middle Eastern music boasts a rich history spanning millennia, influenced by ancient civilizations and the Islamic Golden Age. Its rhythms, based on iqa' patterns, form the foundation of diverse genres. Key instruments like the oud and nay create distinctive timbres.
Arab classical music traditions have deep roots in Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean cultures. Developed over centuries, this rich musical heritage flourished during the Islamic Golden Age and continued to evolve under Ottoman influence.
It is widely regarded that some Middle-Eastern musical styles have influenced Central Asia, as well as the Balkans and Spain. The various nations of the region include the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East, the Iranian traditions of Persia, the Jewish music of Israel and the diaspora, Armenian music.
