Bayati

 An Exercise using the Bayati Maqam played on Saz Baglama

Composition Background

"Bayati" started life as a practice session on my Saz to get acquainted with the Bayati Maqam. 

The Bayat or Bayati Maqam can be described as " The Essence of Arabic music using one quarter ne." From my initial practice sessions I developed a melody based on the Bayati Maqam.

Bayati Saz Solo Extract

Composition Structure

This composition has a rather "drone-like" feel accompanied by a constant bitchrushed beat during the 

verse and chorus sections. Variety is added by introducing a breakdown section. The basic structure

of the composition is as follows:-

• Intro
• Verse
• Chorus
• Verse
• Chorus
• Breakdown 
• Final Chorus
• Outro

Composition Development

The Saz melody underpins the whole composition and they are accompanied by the following additions :-

The rhythmic elements consist of an EZ Drummer bitcrushed midi sequence accompanied by a Dumbek

drum sample.

I added some live Zurna once I got to the stage of being able to play the instrument to an adequate 

level to record.

Two Arabic string tracks, one an octave lower and a DSK World strings Dulcimer are used to provide a countermelody that works to 

both complement and contrast with the Saz melody.

An "Eastern One" Kanan is used to provide the melody in the introduction, breakdown, and Outro.

This is accompanied by a Zurna sample recorded by myself.

In the final chorus I use yet another counter melody using the "Eastern One" Santur.

The bass part is played on the Nexus synth using an Attack bass with some delay.

Reflection

Another composition developed while practicing a Maqam. In this case, Maqam Bayati.

This was in addition a good example of progress on Arabic instrument techniques, as the Zurna part was recorded 7 or 8 times as my 

technique improved.

I was pleased with the Saz drone element that I created and the unorthodox rhythmic patterns that I used.