1. Arabic Folk and Popular Music
Egypt, Lebanon, Spain

2. Music and Islam in the Arabic World
A minority of Muslims strongly discourage the practice of music of any type
Music may be performed by “outsiders”
Music is important to rural groups and tribes
Success of singers and “stars” often outweigh protests against them
Blending of styles, indigenous and foreign encouraged

3. Arabic Music Terms
Maqam (maqamat, plural) = mode, with melodic patterns, ways to develop melodies, character
Iq’a (Usul = Turkish) = rhythmic “modes”, groupings of beats, usu. 7-16
Taqsim = instrumental improvisation
Arabs translated Greek musical theory works, hence close affinity between Greek modes and Arabic maqamat;
Like Persian culture, Arabic poetry was strongest influence on music
PLAY MAQAM LESSON
Play Bayati demo on violin

4. Popular Music in Cairo
The most important locale for dissemination of Arabic popular music in 19th and 20th centuries
Commercial recordings produced since 1904
Since 1920s, Egyptian music and culture has been broadcast to Arabic world
Attracts variety of artists, not just Egyptian

5. EGYPT

6. Wedding Music
Last for days; always includes dance music and vocal music
Hassabala troupe (bugles, trumpets, wooden drums) with dancers
May include belly dancing and singing (raks sharki)
PLAY RURAL WEDDING EXAMPLE

7. Umm Kalthum ( )
“…indisputably the Arab world’s greatest singer”
Learned to sing reciting poetic verses at cafes and trained in religious chanting
Known for intense love songs, some lasting more than an hour
Her funeral was attended by 3 million + people in Cairo
“She was once asked to sing a line over 52 times, which she did while developing the melody each time”
PLAY YOU TUBE EXCERPT OF FILM OF HER LIFE (10 MIN)

8. LEBANON

9. Lebanese Folk and Popular Musics
Beirut, like Cairo, is center for Arabic music production
Fairuz (singer, considered 2nd only to Umm Kalthum)
Most famous Lebanese singer
Recorded 800+ songs
Variety of styles and genres

10. Arabic Influence in Spain
711 AD – 1492, southern Spain under Muslim rule
“Moors” - from Latin mauri, a name for the Berber tribes living in Roman Mauretania (modern day Algeria and Morocco). Used to refer to all Muslims, Berber or Arab, who conquered the Iberian Peninsula.
11th cent. - Moorish Spain (Al-Andalus) was center for the manufacture of instruments.
Instruments spread through France (troubadours) and Europe
(Instrument names “lute”, “rebec,” “guitar” are from the Arabic “oud,” “rabab,” “qitara.”

11. Flamenco In 19th cent., assoc. with Romani (Gypsies)
Voice, guitar, jaleo (finger snapping, hand clapping, shouts of encouragement)
Repertoire consists of various dance styles and rhythms
Andalusian chord progression = Am – G-F-E
PLAY LATCHO DROM CLIP
Andalusia