Maqam Jiharkah is a maqam that can sometimes be misunderstood. It’s not a common maqam, so it’s rare to hear. The Arabic style Oud players have a particular way of playing it. In the video below you will learn the notes, intonation, and renditions of Maqam Jiharkah. You will also hear a short taqasim of mine at the end of the video. In my course, “Easy Oud Songs”, you can…
Read MoreThe difference between Arabic and Turkish microtones.
As a Persian musician, I was always fascinated when I first heard the difference between Arabic and Turkish microtones because I could hear that something was very similar to Persian music, but also very different. Some of the differences I was hearing were so subtle; it was marvelous, and a little bewildering. It took me many years to reconcile, understand, and apply the difference between Arabic and Turkish microtones to…
Read MoreThere are many ways to learn a maqam…
Learn a maqam. Here’s how… Alright, I’ve been going on about this free Ear Training session for a while now, and I’m sure you’re getting tired of it. But seriously, get all the details here and mark your calendar so you don’t miss it. I also promised yesterday I would discuss many ways to learn a maqam, to learn music, to learn how to improvise in the framework of a maqam. Okay,…
Read MoreWhat is Ear Training?
As I mentioned the other day, I’ll be doing a free Ear Training session live on YouTube. Ear Training sounds really boring doesn’t it? What really is Ear Training? And why should you do it? Let me put it this way… Ear Training are essentially exercises that help you internalize and absorb the nuances of a maqam in a natural and innate way. It’s like Monkey see… Monkey do… Or…
Read MoreThe truth about Farid Al-Atrash… Learn Egyptian Oud
What comes to mind when someone says the words, “Egyptian Oud” or Egyptian Music? Do you think of belly dancers? Or do you think of the diva Umm Kulthum? Or do you think of this cool dude Amr Diab? Maybe all of these come to mind… But what about Farid Al-Atrash…? A long time ago someone corrected me when I said that Farid Al-Atrash was Egyptian. He’s associated very much…
Read MoreExactly What To Do When You Learn Maqams
In the last few posts, we’ve talked about some of the big mistakes I’ve made trying to learn maqams. The 3 mistakes were: Taking theory books too seriously Thinking that maqams are scales Trying to do it all by myself Most people believe they need to know a lot of theory and a lot of details in order for maqams to flow through you musically, and authentically. Instead,…
Read MoreWhat Not To Do When Learning Maqams [Part 2]
Imagine being able to come home from work, kick off your shoes, sit on the couch and grab your Oud, and start playing a taqsim. Or play your new favourite song even when you don’t have the notation. This may seem like a dream, but it’s more realistic than you realize. I taught myself Arabic music and figured out Arabic maqams by myself. It took a very…
Read MoreWhat Not To Do When Learning Maqams (Part 1)
Finding time to learn maqams can be challenging and difficult. Who’s got time to learn all these maqams? You’ve got a family to feed, the kids to play with, work all day, and bills to pay. It’s impossible to learn all these maqams. Or is it? Let me tell you about my own experience learning maqams. Before attending the Simon Shaheen’s Arabic Music Retreat I never really GOT Maqam…
Read MoreMaqam Ear Training
I always had a hard time understanding Maqam Lami. It sounded so strange to me, and I didn’t find it interesting. I knew some well known songs in Maqam Lami, but it still wasn’t sticking. Fortunately, Simon Shaheen used Maqam Lami in one of his ear training sessions at the Arabic Music Retreat… Then it all started to make sense. I took what I learned from his method and created…
Read MoreFree Sheet Music: Middle Eastern, Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Armenian, and Persian
A lot of people are looking for sheet music to learn new pieces. Here is a list of some good sources for free downloadable sheet music. If you know of any other links or sources for Middle Eastern Sheet Music please let us know so we can share it with everyone online and encourage people to learn. Free Sheet Music Arabic Sheet Music MEMA This is my favorite site. Most…
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