Eastern music is a world of profound emotion, rich traditions, and intricate melodies that transcend boundaries. From the mesmerizing maqamat of the Arab world to the mystical raga of India, the meditative pentatonic scales of East Asia down to the poetic modes characteristic of Persian music, these Eastern scales represent a perspective upon musical storytelling that is essentially different from anything anywhere else in the world. In Dubai, where eastern and western cultures meet with such grace, these scales ring back into the ears, allowing musicians and listeners alike to experience that meeting of tradition and revolution.
What Makes Eastern Scale and Mode Unique?
- Microtones: The Secret to Emotional Depth
Eastern music often employs microtones, or intervals smaller than a semitone. Subtle variations like these come out as expressive melodies which cannot be reproduced with the use of a Western scale. Whether in the subtle bends of Persian dastgah, the soulful ornamentation of Arabic maqamat, or the intricate improvisations of Indian ragas, microtones bring a certain unique depth to emotions.
Exploring Eastern Traditions
Persian Musical Culture: The Poetic Dastgah System
Central to Persian music is the dastgah system—a modal system whereby composition and improvisation are developed. Deeply embedded within Persian poetry and philosophical literature, the dastgah provides incredible emphasis on narration from one’s emotions.
- Dastgah Shur: Expresses desire and mysticism.
- Dastgah Homayoun: Carries a state of grandeur, introspection, and retrospect.
- Dastgah Segah: Creates a reflective, melancholic tone.
Traditional Iranian or Persian instruments such as tar, setar, and santur give life to soft touches and nuances of this delicate mood; soundscapes timeless and profound in spirit.
Arabic Maqamat: The Soulful Modes
In Arabic music, maqam embodies the soul. Maqamat blend complex scales with melodic phrases, offering a deeply emotional journey.
- Maqam Rast: A strong, uplifting mode.
- Maqam Hijaz: Famous for its exotic, haunting sound.
- Maqam Nahawand: A very emotional mode, similar to the minor scale but with its own ornamentation.
The oud and qanun are at the heart of Arabic music; both offer the tonal flexibility to explore these rich modes.
Indian Ragas: Musical Expressions of Time and Mood
The Indian classical tradition is based on ragas—modal structures with spiritual and emotional connotations. Every raga is assigned to a particular time of day, season, or emotion; thus, it is a living entity in its own right.
- Raga Yaman: Soothing, evening raga that creates calm and beauty.
- Raga Darbari Kanada: Majestic and meditative, often performed late in the night.
- Raga Bhairavi: A morning raga full of tenderness and devotion.
Instruments such as the sitar, tabla, and sarod bring these ragas into existence, enabling musicians to tell complex, emotionally rich stories.
The Influence of Eastern Music on Spanish Tradition
Spanish traditional music, particularly Flamenco, has deep-rooted connections to Eastern music, largely due to historical interactions between the Iberian Peninsula and the East. One of the most significant cultural exchanges occurred during the time of the Moors in Spain, especially in Andalusia. This period saw the blending of Arab, Berber, and Spanish cultures, influencing music, art, and science.
A key figure in this musical fusion was Ziryab, an influential musician, singer, and musicologist who is believed to have been of Persian and Arab descent. Ziryab, originally from Baghdad, moved to Cordoba in the 9th century, where he became a prominent figure at the court of the Umayyad Caliphate. Though Baghdad was not part of the Persian Empire during his time, it was a cultural center in the Abbasid Caliphate, where Persian traditions, intellectual contributions, and music played a significant role. The Abbasid Caliphate, with its capital in Baghdad, was politically Arab but culturally diverse, with strong Persian influence in many fields, including music.
Ziryab’s musical innovations in Spain included introducing new instruments, such as a modified version of the oud, which evolved into the Spanish lute, and refining musical scales and modes. His teachings had a profound impact on Andalusian music, which later influenced genres like Flamenco. Ziryab’s contributions helped merge Eastern modes with Western musical traditions, laying the foundation for what would become distinctively Spanish musical styles.
This historical connection has left an indelible mark on Flamenco, whose modal systems and improvisation techniques bear striking similarities to Eastern music traditions like Arabic maqamat and Indian ragas. The fusion of these influences created a sound that is both uniquely Spanish and, in many ways, reminiscent of Eastern musical traditions.
East Asian Pentatonic Scales: Simplicity and Meditation
East Asian music is generally based upon the pentatonic scale—a simple yet profound five-note sequence that depicts natural beauty and meditation states.
- Chinese Pentatonic Scale: (Wu Sheng) Found in traditional guzheng and erhu compositions.
- Japanese “In” Scale: (Sakura Pentatonic Scale) Features introspective and minor key tonalities.
Such scales are native to traditional East Asian instruments like the koto, shamisen, and dizi, creating serene and reflective sounds.
Why Eastern Scales Matter in Modern Music
Within a globalized musical landscape, Eastern scales and modes form a wellspring of inspiration for artists hailing from various genres. The flexibility of these scales allows them to blend into jazz, electronic, and contemporary music without losing their cultural authenticity.
Dubai’s thriving musical community, with its diverse influences, provides a fertile ground for these scales to be explored. From Persian dastgah to Arabic maqamat to Indian ragas, any mode you experiment with introduces a new dimension to your music.
The Instruments Doing the Magic
To truly recognize how beautiful Eastern scales are, it’s best to play them on traditional instruments. These instruments bring out the distinctive sounds native to their cultures:
- Tar and Oud: Heartbeats of Persian and Arabic music.
- Sitar and Sarod: The sounds that create Indian ragas.
- Guzheng and Shamisen: Representative strings of East Asia.
Let the rich scales ring alive with a select assortment of traditional instruments from Barbad Musical Instruments in Dubai.
Embracing the Beauty of Eastern Music
Eastern scales and modes are much more than just musical systems; they are profound expressions of culture, history, and emotion. Delving into their depths connects musicians to timeless traditions while opening new creative possibilities.
Visit us in our store in Dubai or browse through our collection online to find the instrument that will best start your journey into Eastern music. Inspiration awaits in the melodies of the East!