Maqam and Taqism

Maqam and Taqsim

 

Maqam 

At the foundation of Arabic music is Maqam, a modal system that defines the scales and melodic patterns used. Unlike Western music's 12 notes, the Arabic system divides the octave into 24 quarter tones (microtones), creating a distinct tonal character. 

 

Examples of Maqam's 

Ajam 

Cheerful, happiness and joy – western major scale 

Hejaz 

Distinct Arabic sound “Snake charmer music” 

Nahawand 

Feelings, drama, emotions, love 

Bayat 

Essence of Arabic music using one quarter tone 

Rast 

The ecstasy of listening. Uses 2 quarter tones. Most popular Maqam for vocalists and soloists. 

Kurd 

Airy, spacious, freedom 

Saba 

Known as the blues scale of Arabic music. Produces a sad feel. 

Sika 

Maqam of youth and strength, starts and ends with a quarter tone. Originally known as the Maqam of the mountains but then became popularised. 

Taqsim 

This is a type of melodic improvisation that often precedes longer compositions in traditional Arabic music. Understanding Taqsim can inspire your melodic writing for the electronic pieces. 

 

The Composition of Maqam 

 

Each Maqam is made up of as set of “sub-maqams” (Jins) (Think of a Jin as a “genre”) or Ajna (Plural) 

The Naming Of Maqam

The naming of the notes was made by Huseyin Saadeddin Arel and Rauf Yekta Bey in the twentieth century (Yahya Kakar, 2023, p. 151).

Maqam Bayati 

D Eq F G A Bb C 

(q stands for quarter flat, as in Eq = E quarter flat) (b stands for flat, Bb = B flat) 

Jins Bayati 

D Eq F G 

Jins Ajam 

F G A 

Jins Nahawand 

G A Bb C 

Jins Ajam 

Bb C D 

https://www.oudforguitarists.com/arabic-maqam-theory/

Index of Maqam and Jins 

https://www.maqamworld.com/en/index.php

Quarter Tones and Micro Tones 

How to Think Maqamatically  

@MayaYoussefMusic 

There are differences between "quarter tones" in Arabic / Turkish music. If we consider that a true quarter tone would be positioned 50% between the lower and upper half tones, the Turkish “quarter” tone is slightly sharper than a pure quarter tone (maybe 55%) and the Arabic quarter tone is slightly flatter than a pure quarter tone (maybe 45%)  

Maqam History

Arabic Song Structure

Although Maqam is the fundemental component to Arabic songs there are other elemnts that contribute to Arabic song structure.

Verse and Chorus

As with Western music, a lot oif Arabic music will follow a traditional verse / chorus structure.

Qawalib

In Arabic music a Qawalib can be defined as a template for composers and improvisors. This can define structure within a song.

Examples of Qawalib can be defines as follows :-

Muwashah: Andalusian-origin strophic songs with complex rhythms.

Qasida: Classical, poetic recitation in free rhythm

Taqtuqa: Popular, light songs with refrains.

Ughniya: Modern long-form song with orchestral arrangements.

Dulab: Short instrumental prelude introducing the maqam.

Muqaddima: Longer orchestral introduction.

Sama‘i and Longa: Ottoman-influenced instrumental pieces.

Taqsim: Instrumental improvisation exploring the maqam.

Layali: Vocal improvisation on syllables like “ya layl.”

Mawwal: Free-rhythm vocal improvisation, often poetic.

(Maqam World)

Structural Flow

Arabic songs can often follow a defined structure sucha s an instrumental introduction, foloowed by verses, chorus and refrains. Improvised sections can also be included abd there is use of repetition in cycles of 4, 8 or 16.

Rhythmic Patterns

Arabic songs use rhytmic pattens known as iqa‘at which can be simple (e.g., maqsum) to complex (e.g., samai thaqil).

These patterns work similarly to time signatures in Western music.

Reflection

Maqam is a complex concept that takes a lot of study to fully understand, and for this module, I have only just deleved into it.

However, my objective for this module was to gain an understanding of the concepts of Maqam, and in that respect I feel that I have met my objectives.