Rast 1 - Egypt mid 20th
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
This represents a version of Maqam Rast as used in the later 20th century in Egypt, with a very low third scale degree (E1/2♭). The reference composition is the Umm Kulthum Song "Yamsaharni" composed by Sayyed Mekkawi. Several common modulations within Maqam Rast are possible, but Hijaz on 5 is not ideal. This version of Maqam Rast 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