Inside Arabic Music

Over its fifteen-century history, Arabic music has had a global resonance that followed the Islamic empire itself, across Europe to the west and into India to the east. By the mid-20th century, the music spread further through radio and musical cinema, and the West's fascination with Raqs Sharqi - or "bellydance." Yet Arabic music remains widely misunderstood, in part because of the maqam - the music's unique and complex system of melodic modes. From deep inside the tradition, renowned performers Johnny Farraj and Sami Abu Shumays guide readers through maqam, and introduce the instruments, artists, rhythms, and forms of Arabic music. Their discussion of maqam and improvisation taps into linguistics, network theory, cognition, and music analysis to explore the relationships among music, culture, and human community. Drawing theory directly from practice, Inside Arabic music de-mystifies the music, and presents a comprehensive guide for beginner and expert alike.--Back cover.