Modern Arabic music is a fruit of the rich culture
Arabic music is a fountain of several musical varieties which are
still popular in the modern day world. Arabic music is a fountain of
several musical varieties which are still pop ular
in the modern day world. The long history of mingling with many styles
and effects of several regional cultures has helped the Arabic music to
reach other continents in various forms. Especially, the Egyptian music
has taken a place in the western world with its popular version of belly
dancing. At the beginning, this form of Arab music was only a
traditional folk lore and was practiced mostly by women which have been
transformed considerably after the late 19th century French invasion.
The music notations were only introduced after this period in the Arab
music. The classical form of the Egyptian music really succeeded to
develop after 20th century when voice was also considered as an
important aspect of the music of that particular region. Belly dancing
became popular and was practiced in all of the Arab countries. The music
in some of the Arab countries was influenced by French culture whereas
Roman culture dominated the music of Egypt. It shows that the Arab belly
dancing is quite different in one country than the other Arab country.
The Arabic belly dance depends upon the typical Arabic musical
rhythms, which is based on the visual appearance found in the dancing.
Some of the most popular rhythms, which are used, are called Beledi,
Taksim, Kashlima, Khaleeegy and Ciftetelli. The rhythms are of different
patterns in a single score having both fast and slow beats. The sounds
that come from the rhythms are “Dum” and Tek’. The Arabic music of
belly dance is composed with the help of some musical instruments like
Buzuk, Mejwiz, Oud and Debakkeh and so on. Oud is a kind of lute which
gives a low but very rich tone and is used in the evenings for a session
or “Tarab”. Another instrument of importance is the Qanoun, which
contains fifty strings. It is the
opposite of the Iranian Santoor. The strings produce harmonious sound
patterns when the strings are plucked by the music player with small
metal forks held on fingers. There is another instrument like the common
bamboo flute with holes in it. The Buzuk is an instrument with frets and
is tuned differently for different recitals to give high pitch tones.
The main rhythm of the belly dance music is created by the instrument
known as Debakkeh, which is a drum. The common type of Arabic music
for belly dancing is Rai. It is regarded as modern music in the world
but maintains the back ground of Arabic music especially of Algeria. The
western Reggae is similar to this form of Arabic music where the
language is mostly Arabian in the musical for Arabic dance. This
particular dance form is immensely patronized in the entire world and
especially in the western world and that is why a western name of Belly
dancing has been allotted to this dance. This is the original produce of
the Middle East and is known as Raks Sahrqui, the folk dance practiced
by women of the region. It is sometimes known as Oriental dance or
Middle Eastern dance. The dance takes place in the Arab world to mark
festivals and community functions as marriages and other social events.
People of all ages take part in the dance for celebration and have fun.
In the dance, the dancer tries to make movement of the entire body
muscles in a harmonized fashion with the musical rhythm to offer a
visual expression.
Music had an important role in the ancient Arab life and music was
played in their palaces, tombs, fields and everywhere. The social life
was enlivened by music. The modern Arab music is therefore a fruit of
the rich musical past of the Arab culture. |
