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Arab Music
Qanoun
The Qanoun is a trapezoidal string instrument, from which the European zither is derived. The performer plucks the strings with short horn plectra (feather) placed on the tip of each index finger and held in place by a small metal ring (thimble).
It is considered a prominent instrument in Arabic music, taking a supreme place for the huge range of sounds it can produce. The qanoun’s range covers all the Arabic octaves, approximately 3 and a half Dawaween (octaves or scales).
The Qanoon is made up of 78 strings, 26 courses of strings, with three strings per course. The strings are tuned to the basic notes of a given scale. The pitch of each course is lowered or raised by a whole step, half step, or quarter step by lowering or raising fixed metal levers that stop the strings at specific distances.
Because there are only few Qanoun performers in the Middle East, we advise parents to encourage their children to register to study this instrument, to keep it from extinction. It can be learned from the age of 7.
Oud
The Oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument with five double strings, commonly used in Greek, Byzantine, North African (Chaabi, Classical, and Andalusian) and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor. The oud is readily distinguished by its lack of frets and smaller neck. It is considered an ancestor of the guitar.
The oud has a particularly long tradition in Iraq, where a saying goes that in its music lies the country’s soul. A ninth-century Baghdad jurist praised the healing powers of the instrument, and the 19th century writer Muhammad Shihab al-Din related that it "places the temperament in equilibrium" and "calms and revives hearts."
The Oud is favored by the composers and singers in the Arab world – much like the western guitar – to accompany songs. Our center provides an exquisite teacher to teach this authentic instrument.
Arabic Orchestra and Arab Chamber Ensemble
We will provide courses building an Arabic orchestra containing all the Arabic and western instruments including the piano, and guitar. The orchestra will hold annual and special concerts for the students (as the parents wish), performing the beautiful songs of Fairouz and the star of the East, Om Kolthoum, and the other pioneers. If any student wishes to participate, a position will be reserved for them for the whole year. In addition to that we will build an orchestra based on Qanoun, Oud, Nai and Arabic Drum to play the Arabic forms of music like Sma’yeat, Longat and Tarab songs.
Arab Drum (Tabla) and percussion
One of the main instruments in the Arabic music is the drum; you can enjoy and learn this instrument with an excellent performing coach.
Arabic Music Theory
Explains the theory and rules of Arabic music to the Arabic section students. Students learn about Arabic key analysis and the main keys (dimensions, names and where did they come from) and the structure, forms and variety of Arabic music.
Choirs
After a simple assessment by our teaching staff if you have the ability to sing solo or with a group, you can join one of the singing groups that are assembled by the center, to perform with the Children’s, Women’s and Men’s Chorus.
The goal is to establish a singing group that performs in concerts arranged by the center, as well as regionally and internationally.
Western Music Theory
This course explains how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods.
Music theory analyzes the fundamental elements of music — rhythm, harmony (harmonic function), melody, structure, form, texture, etc.
You will practice sight-reading using the Solfege system, which gives each tone of the scale a different syllable (do – re – mi – fa – so – la – ti), making it easier to understand and remember written music. This class is essential for students preparing to enter ABRSM examinations.
Examinations
With Exams we will give 2 options:
* through the center – an assessment of progress and acquired skills after the season and the required courses that are given to the students are completed.
* through ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music),UK, an internationally recognized educational organization - which provides our students the qualifications they need to continue their higher education.
A committee from the UK will hold the academic exams. Students can be entered after approval by their teachers that they have mastered both the technical content and the music theory at their level.
