the maqam system is based on scale-like groupings of notes that each have certain distinctive characteristicsere are dozens of maqams, the melodic possibilities are endless. melody in arabic music develops along a single line, and is distinguished by the intricate use of ornaments, subtle adjustments of pitch called microtones, and a sophisticated use of rhythm. (shaheen) the basics of the structured and improvised music is the maqam system. the maqam system, you have a set of scales that has certain characteristics. a certain feel, a certain mood. for example, there is a certain maqam that could relate very much to an evening time for example, or certain maqam can relate to a sad state of being. for example: [guitar plays tune using chromatic scale] in arabic music, the intervals is very much identified by what we call quatertones or microtonal intervals. and these are intervals that, from my experience with the western ear, it's very difficult to hear this quality because it's an interval or distance between two pitches that the ear is not used to. for example, if we listen to the third not

progression of chords, improvisation in arabic music is completely melodic and is based on a system of scale types known as maqamhaheen) improvisation, we call it in arabic, taqasim, and taqasim is one of theost important genres in arabic music. it shows the knowledge, the experience, the abilities of the musician, whether its a vocalist or an instrumentalist. when we play taqasim, we have to make the main choice, which maqam i'm going to choose as my main mode in the improvisation. for example, if i use a maqam that is called rast, r-a-s-t, then this is the main maqam. i should start with this maqam, and i can modulate to whatever i want, but at the end of the taqasim, i have to go usually to the rast. [music continues] the most important feature in taqasim is the ability to build up a melody, and the more you modulate, the more intense the improvisation becomes. the most important thing would be to understand that it has to be created on the spot. and it very much depends on the artistry and the knowledge, the experience of the musician. now, it is true that much of the ideas, the music ideas, with experience,