Layth Sidiq on Violin & Arabic Music: Maqamat, Taarab & Microtonality | Vocal Styles of the World

Download Your Free Voice Handbook: https://berkonl.in/3wQXG4d Study Voice Online with Berklee: https://berkonl.in/3DEohWa In this video from Christiane Karam’s Vocal Styles from Around the World course, Layth Sidiq shares with us concepts of Arabic music. Layth is a violinist, composer, educator, and Berklee graduate. Although he was trained in European classical music, he grew up always listening to Arabic music, be it Egyptian, Syrian, or Iraqi. Later in life, when he went to study at Berklee, he started feeling closer to his roots and decided to dive deeper into Arabic classical music. One thing a lot of people wrongly assume is that the Arab world is one single unit. But if you look more closely, you’ll see a beautiful array of individuality sparking in each of these countries’ cultures. But they do have some elements in common: maqamat, tarab (or taarab), and microtonality. Those are the three big topics that unite these regions together. Maqamat is regarded by some to be the equivalent to the West’s melodic scales, but Layth prefers to call it a melodic framework instead. While a C major scale will be played the same way no matter where you’re from, a maqamat is tied to a specific region (having its own ornaments and moods). Taarab literally means “musical ecstasy,” and it refers to the live experience of “being in the moment,” both with the musicians you’re playing with and the audience. Microtonality is a concept that’s very present to Arabic music, but it’s not exclusive to their style. Learn more about this course: https://berkonl.in/3HGx2QA ABOUT CHRISTIANE KARAM: Born and raised in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon, Christiane Karam’s unique vocal style stems from her love for different musical traditions. She is the leader and founder of the award-winning ZilZALA Ensemble, which blends classical, traditional, and folk music from different regions of the Middle East and the Balkans with contemporary jazz. She has taught and performed around the world, and collaborated with the likes of Yanka Rupkina, Tigran Hamasyan, Hüsnü Şenlendirici, Javier Limon, the Assad Brothers, Binka Dobreva, Javier Limon, and Bobby McFerrin, at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Summerstage, Symphony Space, and Teatro National. In addition to coaching and performing, Christiane is an award-winning songwriter and the founder and leader of both the Pletenitsa Balkan Choir and the Berklee Middle Eastern Festival. She is also the director of the Berklee Annual International Folk Festival. About Berklee Online: Founded in 2002, Berklee Online is the premier innovator and largest provider of worldwide music education, offering the renowned curriculum of Berklee College of Music at a fraction of the cost through award-winning programming and instruction. Contact an Academic Advisor today: 1-866-BERKLEE (US) 1-617-747-2146 (international callers) [email protected]   / berkleeonline     / berkleeonline     / berkleeonline     / berkleeonline     / berkleeonline   Vocal Styles from Around the World | Arabic Music | Layth Sidiq | Iraq | Jordan | Maqamat | Tarab | Taarab | Microtonality | Christiane Karam | Indian Music | Hindustani Music | Berklee Online | Berklee College of Music