Greek, Palestinian and Arabic Folk Music

Cards (25)

  • What type of rhythms are commonly used in Greek songs and dances?
    Irregular rhythms
  • What is a rhythm pattern called in Arabic music?
    WAZN
  • What instrument is commonly used to perform Arabic WAZN rhythms?
    DOUMBEK
  • How is the low tone played on the DOUMBEK represented?
    D = DOUM
  • What does Greek folk music allow performers to do with melodies?
    Decorate and ornament them
  • How do melodies in Greek folk music primarily move?
    By step
  • What is a characteristic of Arabic melodies?
    Based on MAQAM
  • What is an important feature of Arabic music?
    Improvisation
  • Which instruments are commonly used in Israeli folk dances?
    Clarinet, violin, accordion
  • What techniques are used in Greek folk music to explore timbre?
    Tremolo and glissando
  • What types of chords does Greek music use?
    Diatonic major and minor chords
  • What is a MAQAM in Arabic music?
    A type of scale or mode
  • How is Arabic music often accompanied?
    By a drone
  • What scale resembles the Arabic scale in Western music?
    Double harmonic scale
  • What does the bass guitar play in Israeli folk dances?
    Root and fifth of a chord
  • What is a common tempo characteristic of Greek, Arabic, and Israeli folk music?
    Often fast for dancing
  • How does Arabic music typically begin?
    With improvisation free of tempo
  • What is a common texture in Greek folk music?
    Homophonic texture
  • What is the structure of Greek folk music like?
    Short sections that are repeated
  • Where is Greek folk music commonly performed?
    Celebrations and social events
  • What influences shaped Middle Eastern folk music?
    Arabic, Jewish, and Christian influences
  • What instruments are typical in a Greek folk music ensemble?
    DOUMBEK, BOUZOUKI, violin
  • What type of harmony is often found in Palestinian and Arabic music?
    Microtonal harmony
  • How has modern technology impacted traditional music?
    Increased access via the Internet
  • What are the typical instruments, timbres, and sonorities in traditional folk music?
    • BOUZOUKI
    • OUD
    • DOUMBEK
    • TAMBOURINE
    • TABLA
    • BALADI
    • MIZMAR
    • NEY
    • MIJWIZ
    • SANTUR