Al Yahudi
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Drone usage
Can anyone describe when he uses it? I need help figuring out when certain notes need to be backed by a lower ocatve to get an arabic style
sound...
Thanks
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MatthewW
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Hi- is this what you mean?
you can hear how the lower bass note(s) struck at 0:21, 0:22, 0:23; 0:25, 0:26, 0:27, give a sort of drone effect while the taqsim is played on the
strings above:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2d9hNOKZYw
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Al Yahudi
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Thanks for the reply and the resources. I can see how it used there.
However, I am interested to know if the drone is used whenever you feel like it, is there a rule for using it?
Also, someone has told me that whenever he sees a quarter flat note he complements it with the same lower note to get a richer sound? does this make
sense?
I appreciate your help Matthew.
Salam
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MatthewW
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I think if you listen closely to a lot of oud playing by various players in various styles and playing different maqams, on cd or on youtube,
including all the ones posted in this website, you'll start to develop an ear for how to use what you refer to as a 'drone', or playing lower notes
under the melody line/taqsim above. each player will bring his/her own approach to it.
I have not heard playing a quarter tone note with the exact same lower quarter tone note, I am not sure if this is always possible or even desireable.
There is no problem with playing a half flat B in maqam Rast in C on your G string and playing the bottom open single C note under that as a drone
(example for oud tuned low to high: c-ff,aa,dd,gg,cc ) and so on. No need to play a half flat B an octave lower.
first listen to a lot of oud playing, then let your own heart and feelings guide you as you develop your own approach.
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David.B
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Yes, the Qarar (and Joab) is something personal I guess...
I'm not sure but the way musicians use it changed a lot, I think it was only used to accentuate the tonic in the past, and gave the indication of
which maqam was playing.
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Ararat66
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I love that clip, George Michel I'm sure, one of my favourite players - beautiful ... see how fluid and relaxed his right hand is
Cheers
Leon
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Al Yahudi
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Quote: Originally posted by David.B  | Yes, the Qarar (and Joab) is something personal I guess...
I'm not sure but the way musicians use it changed a lot, I think it was only used to accentuate the tonic in the past, and gave the indication of
which maqam was playing.
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excuse my ignorance David, what are Qarar and Joab ?
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David.B
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This is what we're talking about 
Qarar is the low register drone and joab (but I think jowab in English) is the high register drone.
Check out this post again :
http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=9746#pid647...
"02:47
C (qarar) touch of Nawa Athar
02:52
D (qarar) touch of Hijazayn
02:54
B/BB, Ab/AAb, G/GG
Descent in both octaves of Shadd `Araban"
The 2 first qararat are used to signified a specific maqam (in my opinion) and at 02:54 the qarar comes after the medium register note and is an
ornament more than a drone...
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Al Yahudi
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Thanks a lot David. It looks like you have very soft ears...since I am a novice (6 months playing and about 10 classes taken) these are all very
complex to me still since I cant play any taqasim yet, so may maybe I should just continue listening to a as much music as possible and take a step
back and concentrate on the basics. Maybe when my I get more flow on into my playing skills I could experiment with trying to play some of what I hear
and pick it up from there.
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David.B
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Don't worry, you will hear it when you will be able to play it. I trained myself 5 years on scores (not the best way) to be autonomous since 2006...
Courage 
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David.B
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| Quote: Originally posted by Al Yahudi | | Maybe when my I get more flow on into my playing skills I could experiment with trying to play some of what I hear and pick it up from there.
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Yes the best way !
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