SJD - 1-31-2015 at 10:26 AM
So, now I've got my new Michael Moussa oud, I want to get studying. My interest is Arabic rather than Turkish. I work as a jazz guitarist and teacher
and my (western) music theory and ears are good.
I realise I have to learn a whole new language and am keen to get started.
I've come across a package called Maqam Mastery on oudforguitarists website. This looks to be exactly what I need, ear training audio included. Sounds
perfect study material for me.
Has anyone had experience with this particular study course or can anyone recommend other / complimentary suitable
study material.
Thanks for your help.
Brian Prunka - 1-31-2015 at 11:59 AM
Regarding Maqam theory, the basics are very similar in Turkish and Arabic (though the specifics of pitch and ornamentation differ), so don't restrict
yourself just to sources based on Arabic music.
Navid (oudforguitarists) does a good job with concisely introducing a lot of basics in a clear way. I haven't tried his course, but I have heard good
things from people, and based on his other material I expect it would be quite useful to you.
http://www.maqamworld.com
gives the basic breakdown of of Arabic theory and maqamat
http://maqamlessons.com
has a lot of detailed analysis and listening examples for understanding phrases and modulation. There is little notation, it is mostly ear and
description.
David Muallem's Maqam Book is the most thorough introduction. It has some stuff that is redundant for an accomplished musician, but it is still a
great resource.
Scott Marcus wrote a PhD dissertation on Arabic music, which has a ton of theory information and historical detail, it's worth seeking out (you can
get it here: proquest)
This book has a lot of detailed info on Turkish makam:
http://www.amazon.com/Turkish-Music-Makam-Guide-CDs/dp/9944396842
As does this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Makam-Modal-Practice-Turkish-Music/dp/0976045...
There are other books in Arabic or Turkish that you can get something from the notated examples.
This website has a bunch of great videos where they work their way through taqsim ideas: http://www.musiqana.net/category.aspx?catid=27
It's all in Arabic, but you can still learn a lot from copying the examples.
Rudolph D'Erlanger wrote a multi-volume treatise on Arabic music published in the 1930s. If you understand French it may be very helpful. There are a
bunch of notated taqasim in it, in volume 5. La Musique Arabe, I believe is the title.
If you do some searching of this site and the internet, it may be that you find access to some of the harder-to-find resources mentioned.