Khaleegi Taxsim (associating taxsim with a "place")

[PracticalDancer]

I have not been able to find much on this, so I plan to cross-post in several places. I have learned enough to know that even a taxsim can help "place" the music for a performance. Many of the taxsim that we hear are Egyptian; but, I have heard some that are definitely Turkish. Thus, my questions: First, is there a concept of "taxsim" in Khaleegi music? Second, (more broadly) what can you use to identify the "place" represented in a Taxsim? (I am looking for both instrumentation and musical attributes.) My main interest at the moment is Khaleegy, due a project I am working on; however, if we wind up diverting a bit, I am OK with that.

Thanks!

 

[Jeanne]

I don't know of any specifically Khaleeji taqsim style, but that doesn't mean it doesn't necessarily exist. You might want to look into resources by some of the dancers who have extensive expertise in Khaleeji -- Kay Hardy Campbell is the best representative of that that I can think of. Here is her website:
Arabian Gulf Folklore ~ Kay Hardy Campbell Writer, Lecturer, Middle East Specialist

She has some articles posted on her site, but if none of them covers what you're looking for, she might be able to answer your question if you contact her. She's a nice person -- I had a three-hour Khaleeji workshop with her a couple of months ago.

 

[Marya]

This article talks about Gulf music, its origins and different styles, I think it mentions Taxim as well.

Marya

Feature: Africans in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf ? Hip Deep ? Afropop Worldwide

 

[Kashmir]

A taqsim (by definition) is a solo improvisation around maqam/maqamat. I'd be surprised if they don't do this in the Gulf as it is a cornerstone part of Arabic music. But identifying it ...

As normally there is no percussion with a taqsim you cannot use the recognized khaleegi rhythms to identify a khaleegi taqsim - however there maybe specific maqamat that are used more often in the Gulf than elsewhere. Problem is, who is capable of recognizing these if they exist?

I believe there are some instruments more common with Khaleegi music than other forms. WiggleWhiz - you around?

Other than that, maybe assume something recorded by a khaleegi group is more likely to be khaleegi than anything else? A shaky and not foolproof theory though.

 

[Jane]

Maybe they mean something in the hejaz family? Some maqamat are traditionally associated with a geographic place even when they are used all over the Arab world.


David Muallem's "The Maqam Book." Lists some of the more common modulations. Comes with a CD too.

Hejaz- (named after the Hijaz region of Arabia) common on Arabian peninsula similar to western harmonic minor. Spiritual sounding when slow. Lightly romantic in fast tempo.