The elements of music in Arabic music
As an example of Arabic music, Adnan Joubran's Beat the Drum will be examined.
Melody
If asked to discuss the melodic devices, remember the following points:
- phraseA short section of music, normally a melody, that could be thought of as a musical sentence. Phrases are like building blocks in music. contain intervalDistance between two notes.
- most of the phrases follow a conjunctA melody that moves by step. melodic shape
Rhythm and metre
These elements are heard in the song through the following features:
- a rhythmic pattern of a waznRepeated rhythm found in Middle Eastern music. is implemented in the percussion section
- irregular time signatureAn uneven number of beats appear in the time signature resulting in unequal groupings of beats, eg 7/8 would have groups of 3-2-2. are implemented such as 5/8 or 7/8, but the time signature is 4/4 in Beat the Drum
Instrumentation and timbre
The instruments include:
- the oud, doumbek, and hand claps
- the oud plays with distinctive fingerpickingWhere the strings a plucked rather than strummed on a guitar or oud. and pitch bendWhen the pitch played slightly rises or falls but returns to original pitch.
An example of finger plucking
An example of pitch bending
Texture and structure
Common texture and structures found in traditional Arabic music include:
- the texture thickens as further instruments are added
- polyrhythmConflicting rhythms being played at the same time. texture often occurs
- most songs are written and performed with a verse-chorus structure
The texture is considered thick because all of the instruments play as one
Tonality and harmony
The points to take note of are:
- modalA sequence of notes that have varying intervals between each degree of the sequence. are the bases of each piece of music’s tonality
- the bass instrument implements a droneTwo notes sounded together as an accompaniment, often a 5th apart.
