Classical Riqq Technique (eBook + Online Audio)
Built around the life and teachings of master percussionist, Michel Merhej Baklouk, this book has been designed as a biographical tribute, a teaching manual, and a resource guide for anyone wishing to develop a deeper understanding of the role that percussion plays in Near Eastern Arabic music. This book differs from most technique manuals in that it includes historical information about Arabic music as it pertains to the life and work of a single art ...more
Product Number:
22062EB
Format:
eBook + Online Audio
Skill Level:
Multiple Levels
Pages:
128
Binding:
eBook
ISBN:
1-6191-1169-1
ISBN13:
978-16191-1169-1
Publisher:
Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
Date Published:
2/27/2012
Built around the life and teachings of master percussionist, Michel Merhej Baklouk, this book has been designed as a biographical tribute, a teaching manual, and a resource guide for anyone wishing to develop a deeper understanding of the role that percussion plays in Near Eastern Arabic music. This book differs from most technique manuals in that it includes historical information about Arabic music as it pertains to the life and work of a single artist, Michel Merhej Baklouk.

The book is composed of three parts: Introduction, Lessons, and Reference Information. Each part is written to stand on its own as well as fit with the whole so that readers can approach the book either as individual articles and lessons, or in its entirety, to be read from cover to cover. By presenting Michel's work in this way, we hope to appeal to a wider audience, percussion students at varying skill levels and from varying music disciplines and backgrounds, students of music and Middle Eastern studies, or anyone else interested in twentieth century Arab music and culture. 

The first part, Introduction, contains several essays about Michel's life, his teaching philosophy, pedagogical practices, musical aesthetics and performance practices. Although these sections may be read independently, they are also designed to help percussion students apply the book's lessons to their own playing and musical interpretations. 

The technical focus of this book is on the riqq; however, students of Arabic music (beginning through advanced) can adapt the practical exercises to gain mastery of the percussion instrument(s) of their choice.

The second part, Lessons, begins with information about how to hold the percussion instrument (case in point: the riqq) and how to practice effectively. It then presents the body of exercises that Michel developed for his students. These exercises have been taken directly from Michel's notated lessons, which he developed into units corresponding to levels of proficiency, or academic years as he taught them at the Conservatory in Beirut; however, for the purposes of this book, the exercises are reorganized to correspond to subject matter and only roughly mirror Michel's conservatory sequence. Unit 1, Technique Building Exercises, is aimed at novice players or anyone who is new to reading music. Units 2 through 5 focus on specific rhythmic structures with increasing complexity. Students should master each unit of exercises before proceeding to the next unit. The third part, Reference Information, includes a notation reference, a list of rhythms, a list of further reading recommendations, and a glossary of Arabic music terms, many of which are used in the text. All Arabic words in this book appear in italics, except proper names, and with the exception of some proper Arab names, the text is essentially written in the standard system of transliteration used by the Library of Congress and most academic literature Throughout the book you will see quotations from Michel offset in the text. These prosaic tidbits may be words of wisdom, interesting anecdotes about Michel's life, or insights into his work and world of music. 

Each provides a glimpse into the personality of this exceptional musician. As a technical manual for students of Arabic percussion, Classical Riqq Technique provides specific exercises and explores important concepts, some of which are rarely taught, even in private lessons. At the same time, this book strives for a broader goal, to present and preserve classical percussion from the perspective of a master who not only lived in but also influenced the golden age of Arabic music. Includes access to online audio.
Acknowledgments
Preface

PART 1 - INTRODUCTION
About This Book
Biography
Pedagogy
Musical Styling
Context and Relationship
Ornamentation in Practice
PART II - LESSONS
Hand Positions for the Riqq
Position 1 - Basic Position
Playing Dumm-s in the Basic Position
Playing Takk-s in the Basic Position
Position 2 – Classical Position (On the Frame)
Playing Dumm-s in the Classical Position
Playing Takk-s in the Classical Position
How To Practice.
Unit 1 - Basic Technique Building
Basic Technique Exercises in 4/4 Time
Dumm-s and Takk-s
Rests
Sixteenth Notes
Basic Technique Exercises in 2/4 Time
Basic Technique Exercises in 3/4 Time
Accented Notes
Alternating Fingering for the Dumm
Rolls
Roll Exercises in 4/4
Time
Roll Exercises in 2/4 Time
Roll Exercises in 3/4 Time
Grace Notes and Triplets
Unit 2 - Popular Arabic Rhythms
Popular Arabic Rhythms in 2/4 Time
Wahda Saghira (or Maqsum)
Wahda Sha‘biyya
Masmudi Saghir (or Baladi)
Zaffa
Sudasi
Ayyub
Wahda Shami (or Malfuf)
Darwish al-Misri
Popular Arabic Rhythms in 4/4 Time
Wahda al-Qasa’id
Wahda Kabira
Popular Arabic Rhythms in 8/4 Time
Ciftitelli (or Wahda Mijwizah or Double Wahda)
Masmudi Kabir
Zaffa
al-Bamb al-Misri
Katakufti
From the Scrapbook
Unit 3 - Outside Influences
Non-Traditional and Western Rhythms in 2/4 Time
Mambo Saghir (or Karachi)
Rhumba Saghira
Non-Traditional and Western Rhythms in 4/4 Time
Rhumba Kabira
Mambo Kabir ( or Bolero)
Muthallath ‘Iraqi
Non-Traditional and Western Rhythms in 8/4 Time
Batayhi
Non-Traditional and Western Rhythms in 10/16 Time
Jurjuna
Unit 4 - Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 3/8 Time
Saraband (or Attayir)
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 5/4 Time
A‘raj
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 5/8 Time
A‘raj
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 6/4 Time
Sama‘i Sankin
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 6/8 Time
Ugruk
Sama‘i Darij
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 7/4 Time
Nawakht
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 7/8 Time
Dawr Hindi
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 9/4 Time
Agher Aqsaq
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 9/8 Time
Aqsaq
Muwashshahat and Classical Rhythms in 10/8 Time
Sama‘i Thaqil
Unit 5 - Long Rhythms of the Muwashshahat
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 11/4 Time
‘Awis
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 11/8 Time
‘Awis (fast)
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 12/4 Time
Mudawwar
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 13/4 Time
Murabba
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 13/8 Time
Thurafat
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 14/4 Time
Muhajjar
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 16/4 Time
al-Mukhammas
Nawakht Hindi
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 17/8 Time
Khawsharnak
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 19/8 Time
Awfar
Awfar Ribat
Long Rhythms of Muwashshahat in 32/4 Time
al-Sita ‘Ashra Ribaat
PART III - REFERENCE INFORMATION
Basic Music Theory and Notation for Percussionists
Glossary of Arabic Music Terms
List of Arabic Music Rhythms
 
Audio Sample 1
Audio Sample 2
Series:
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