middle eastern music
Middle Eastern Music vs. Western Music
—Middle Eastern (M.E.) The complexity of the rhythm and the purity of the melodic line are most important in this type of music. In contrast, Western music has a harmonic framework and a beginning, middle and end. M.E. music has an ebb and flow, a continuous development and endless repetition with embellishments and variations.
—M.E. music uses quartertones, a pitch that is half way between a white and black key on a piano
—Western music uses chords (harmony) while M.E. music does not. There’s only one melodic line.
More reading about M.E. music:
Arabic Maqam World – Great site!
Describes type of M.E. music, structure of the music, and instruments used
Zehara’s Site More in-depth description of structure
For more info about the author, visit www.mellilah.com
