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Simon Shaheen - Taqasim and Sama'i Huzam

Jameel - 2-18-2005 at 06:36 PM

I took this video about a year ago but never got around to sharing it. In light of the recent forum problems here, and with an overall appreciation for Mike Malek's work in promoting this wonderful instrument, it's with pleasure that I offer this. This was taken during a lecture on Arabic music in Minneapolis, MN. I was able to visit with Simon for about 20 minutes before the lecture. I showed him the oud I built and we talked about oud construction a little bit. I was about 10 feet from Shaheen during his performance (my brother was doing the filming), and I'll tell you, it was an absolute pleasure. This is one of the best taqasims I have heard, and one of my favorites. Needless to say, it was an unforgettable evening. I think nowadays there is a lot of focus on technique and vurtousic playing, both of which Shaheen is a master, but I'm of the opinion that Shaheen combines these elements very effectively with highly expressive melodic phrases and subtle use of ornament like none other. Simply put, I'm in a state of tarab whenever Simon plays traditional oud. Only one other oudist makes me feel like I do when he plays, and that is Farid Al Atrache. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do.

CLICK HERE: Simon Shaheen-Taqasim and Sama'i Huzam Abdel Wahab

chaldo - 2-18-2005 at 09:30 PM

Thanks soo soo soo much, that is really great. I wish I was there, yalla bassita, here HE came to us, through your video..
hhehhe thanks again

Elie Riachi - 2-18-2005 at 10:06 PM

SUPER.

Mike - 2-18-2005 at 11:39 PM

Awesome stuff Jameel. Simon is a true master. Thanks for sharing my friend.

Take care,
Mike

Monawar Al-Jabar - 2-19-2005 at 08:29 AM

That was awsome

:bowdown:

Aziz - 2-19-2005 at 10:41 PM

thaaaanx 1001 times :applause:

thats what i can call a Taqaseem!

Aziz

Faladel - 2-19-2005 at 11:55 PM

Hi Jameel:
a very great Takaseem..... congratulations
:applause:

mavrothis - 2-21-2005 at 07:19 AM

Thanks so much for sharing this, it's really amazing. I love his playing and his amazing oud so much, and it's so much more fulfilling to see him playing live and watch his hands go.

Thanks!

mav

elrabee3 - 2-21-2005 at 12:56 PM

alllah alllah.. ya Jameel, Simon's playing has alot from your name.

how come such a great oud player with a nice technique and smooth playing is not famous. it is ur duty to post everything about him.

mercm525i - 2-24-2005 at 07:41 PM

My favorite part is from 3:10 to 3:53, especially where he imitates Farid. That was very nice.

Jameel - 2-24-2005 at 07:54 PM

Yeah, that's a great section.

How about 4:20-4:30? Unbeleivable.

mercm525i - 2-25-2005 at 03:25 AM

Oh yes, the dancing fingers part is what I call it...very good part.

oudplayer - 2-25-2005 at 10:15 AM

hey all wow he really is amazing i love it alot and yes the finger dancing part was amazing .
thx sammy

Jameel - 2-25-2005 at 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elrabee3
alllah alllah.. ya Jameel, Simon's playing has alot from your name.

how come such a great oud player with a nice technique and smooth playing is not famous. it is ur duty to post everything about him.

Ok, Elrabee. I just heard that Simon Shaheen is now on tour in the UAE. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm a little late. He performed yesterday!! I hope you caught the concert.

http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/FeaturesNF.asp?ArticleID=151985

mercm525i - 2-26-2005 at 09:12 AM

Jameel, do you know who made the oud that Simon is playing?

Jameel - 2-26-2005 at 09:24 AM

It's a Hanna Nahat, I beleive. Maybe not Hanna specifically, but defintely Nahat. Maybe Brian Prunka can chime in, he may know.

mercm525i - 2-26-2005 at 08:30 PM

I knew it. For some reason, something told me that it was a Nahat. Maybe because I've been listening to Farid so much, I got used to the sound charateristics of the Nahat or something. Thanks man.

help

mercm525i - 2-27-2005 at 08:18 PM

Hi everyone, I had a quick question, I posted a part of Simon's taqsim (the farid part), at each part (the high note part and the same part repeated with a lower octave) he makes the pitch go up at the end of each part. Can someone tell me how he does that, does he move his finger a little more up after he hits the note?. This is how I learn the hard stuff sometimes, by slowing it down. Thanks.

Jameel - 2-28-2005 at 06:12 AM

I did a little frequency analysis, and some careful listening. I thinks it's actually not rast but nahawand. The E is pretty flat. I know he ends up in Huzam (e 1/2 flat), but this section is nahawand, I'm pretty sure. Also, I slowed it down even more and he doesn't slide up to F. He actually just plays F and then slides up from there. I don't hear another pluck, it sounds like he slides his finger up to F#-G area, but maybe he's planting the pinkie too. It's so fast it's hard to tell!

listen to this. I repeated the section in question twice.

mercm525i - 2-28-2005 at 08:57 AM

Thanks guys for your help. I will try to the methods suggested.

Bin Ayoub - 3-6-2005 at 11:52 PM

Superb.

habeebkum - 3-27-2005 at 04:53 PM

just listened to simon shaheen again............he just makes it look so so easy!!!! truely amazing. that is my favourite taqsim!!

wow...

SamirCanada - 4-9-2005 at 09:52 AM

no more of this Jameel!..
I forgot to close my eyes!!! :bowdown:

hehe

Thank you soo much

TruePharaoh21 - 4-13-2005 at 09:29 AM

New article on Simon Shaheen...

http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4836

yassr55 - 5-20-2005 at 09:59 PM

every part is beautiful

jazzchiss - 7-21-2005 at 03:48 AM

An interesting interview wtih Simon Shaheen:
http://www.afropop.org/multi/interview/ID/39/Simon%20Shaheen%20on%2... (2003)

Greg - 7-21-2005 at 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzchiss
An interesting interview wtih Simon Shaheen:

Yes, a link to this interview was posted once before on these forums and it evoked a mixed response with some energetic points of view expressed. Unfortunately, it was the kind of energy that created more heat than light.
Let's not revisit those discusssions ..... PLEASE!

Regards,

Greg

revaldo29 - 7-21-2005 at 11:11 AM

Man what I would give to own a oud that sounds that awesome.
Goodness. Do nahat's like that ever come up for sale?