Jiharkah
For a general introduction to maqamMaqam (pl. maqamat) is the modal melodic system used in the Arab worldVisit the link to learn more and these presets, please visit A Guide to the Maqam Tuning Presets for Ableton Live 12.
About this maqam
Jiharkah is one of the more rare and unusual maqamat in Arabic music, with a unique third scale degree in between the major and the 3/4 step third, and a significantly lowered 4th scale degree. This pitch set makes possible most of the expected modulations from Jiharkah, including Nahawand, Ajam Murassaa, Saba Dalanshin, and Sikah Baladi, with some compromises to make it work within a 12-pitch set. Popular examples using this maqam include Egyptian composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab's "Kulli Da Kaan Leh" and the Syrian song "Arrozana." This version of Jiharkah was developed by Sami Abu Shumays.
JinsJins (pl. ajnas): a scale fragment of 3, 4, or 5 notes with a specific mood and melodic vocabulary.Visit the link to learn more modulations possible within this pitch set
Experiment with this tuning
Learning more
Here are some resources to learn more about this tuning system.
- Inside Arabic Music Chapter 11 (description of Tuning System); Ch 14-16 (descriptions of Ajnas); Ch 24 (Sayr diagrams)
- Maqam World Website, including Maqam and Jins Scales
- "Maqam Lessons" YouTube series, teaching the melodic vocabulary of the ajnas and maqamat