Maqam Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Arabic Modal Scales
If you have ever listened to Arabic music and felt something stir inside you a longing, a warmth, an emotion you could not quite name you were feeling the power of the maqam. For choir directors, musicians, and music lovers looking to explore Middle Eastern music , understanding the maqam is the single most important first step. Every piece in the Dozan World catalog, from our SATB choral scores to our string quartet arrangements, is rooted in this extraordinary system. This guide is written for musicians who are new to Middle Eastern music. No prior knowledge is required just curiosity. What Is a Maqam? The word maqam (plural: maqamat) comes from the Arabic root meaning "place" or "position." In music, it refers to a system of melodic modes that forms the foundation of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian classical music. Think of a maqam the way you think of a scale in Western music it is a set of pitches organized in a specific order. But a maqam is much more than ...