Israel

• The music of West Asia is modal and emphasizes melodic complexity and ornamentation
• Harmony is not emphasized in West Asian music
• The music of Israel combines Jewish and non-Jewish music traditions to create a distinctive musical culture
• Israeli musicians have sought original stylistic elements to define the emerging national spirit
• Israeli musicians have made significant contributions to classical, jazz, pop rock, and other international music genres
• Israeli singers have distinctive vocal styles, singing with guttural and throaty enunciation
• Jewish Music:

  • Devotional music is almost entirely vocal and featured during Sabbath and other holy days
  • The art of Hazzan (leader of prayer in synagogue) is evident in the culture
  • Shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn, is a special call to prayer and repentance
• Secular Jewish Music:

  • Uses instruments and voice
  • Played during life passage events
  • Context lies outside the religious domain
  • Very rhythmic with popular and romantic texts
• Zum Gali Gali is a traditional Hebrew song relating to the formation of the State of Israel
• Music and musical instruments have been part of the heritage of the people of Israel from earliest times
• The Bible mentions dozens of musical instruments, musical expressions, performers, and conductors in ancient Israel
• Shofar:

  • A ritual musical instrument made from the horn of a ram or other animal
  • Used on important Jewish public and religious occasions
  • Produces sounds by blowing into a small end of the ram’s horn
  • Different sounds are produced based on the size of the hole blown into
• Psalterion:

  • An ancient instrument with gut strings stretched between pegs
  • Strings were plucked with fingers or plectra
  • Played on the lap, table, or held with a strap around the neck
• Jewish Lyre (kinnor):

  • Referred to as the "national instrument" of the Jewish people
  • Had 3 to 12 gut strings, usually 10 in late antiquity
  • Played with a plectrum when accompanying singing or dancing
• Goblet Drum:

  • A hand drum with a goblet shape used in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe
  • Played under one arm or placed sideways on the lap
  • Some drums have strap mounts for playing while standing or dancing
• Bendir:

  • A big hand frame drum known as Duff in Arabic language
  • Played vertically by inserting the thumb of the left hand in special holes in the frame