amtaha - 5-10-2007 at 09:59 AM
I was wondering if anyone knows of material on Arabic rhythms, their histories - something structural, so to speak.
I know it's a very wide topic, so I doubt there being a general reference. But I wonder if there is something that could help me "understand" or
appreciate various rhythms from different parts of the Arab world..
For example, there is a rhythm called "Metholath" - one that I never really understood, nor could figure out how is it used in composition. A much
simpler one, I remember, is "La'boon", which has a nice history to it and is pretty meditative in nature, and leads to interesting alterations
(modulations, don't know the word.)
Anyone?
Regards,
Hamid
stringmanca - 5-10-2007 at 10:25 AM
Here's a place to start:
http://www.alsiadi.com/Arabic_Rhythms.html
It lists a lot of rhythms and has some sound samples, but doesn't have any history or other information about them.
This one has more about the rhythms, but doesn't list so many:
http://www.khafif.com/rhy/rhythm.html
Hope that helps!
Nathan
stringmanca - 5-10-2007 at 10:32 AM
By the way, I think that first site has the first rhythm you asked about "Metholath" - it's listed at Iraqi Muthalith 8/8. I think I've heard that
used as a pretty nice background for taqsim, including one on Simon Shaheen's Turath album.
http://www.alsiadi.com/Iqaa_Muthalith_Iraqi8_8.html
amtaha - 5-11-2007 at 09:17 AM
Thanks stringmanca,
This is plenty to start off with, and should keep me busy for now.