DavidJE
Oud Junkie
Posts: 265
Registered: 7-14-2013
Location: Vienna, Austria
Member Is Offline
|
|
Best Performance Pieces
I recently realized that it could be good to have a number of "default" pieces/compositions that I play for people who would like to hear something on
the oud. There were a few occasions on my recent trip to Turkey where I picked up an oud in a shop, or where someone handed me their oud and told me
to go ahead and play. Each time it took me a little while to decide what I should play, and my choices weren't always optimal. I've run into the
same thing with family and friends. So I decided to make a list of about 10 pieces that fit well together in terms of moving from makam to makam and
style to style, which I will use as my default "performance" selection.
I haven't played for very long yet, and I haven't played for that many people, so my knowledge of possible pieces AND what the average
non-Turkish/Arabic music aficionado will find appealing is limited. Of course, I also realize that there is no absolute "best" list, and that
different people like different types of music! Nevertheless, I think this could be a fun and useful pursuit.
Thus far I've found that the *average person* can easily get lost or uninterested when listening to a taksim. The lack of "something to grab on to",
a teslim, a particular rhythm, etc., seems to make listening less "fun". Maybe for people who are into jazz, this would be different.
I've also found that faster and shorter compositions are easier for people to digest. For example, the Nikriz Longa by Cemil Bey always seems to get
and keep people's attention. Cecen Kizi, also by Cemil Bey, seems to be similar, but not as "effective" as the Kikriz Longa. Maybe the longa rhythm
is easier for the average person to feel and get into?
I've also noticed that people are attracted to sounds that are substantially different. So pieces in makams that focus on the hicaz/hidjaz tetrachord
can have a nice impact.
So, what are some particular compositions that you find the average person likes? Pieces that sustain their interest more so than others?
I'll add to this that *I* am not only interested in these pieces. But I'd like to understand for the sake of performance, what's more and less likely
to be enjoyed by different audiences.
|
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbprobrown/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
