Middle+Eastern+Adventure+Time!+շատ+լավ!

picture yourself in a desert, strung out and desperate for help. This used to be the norm in older middle east days. these feelings are expressed in their music, and contribute to the sounds of their music being slightly mournful and even a tad whiny. there are many countries that are all wrapped into the catagory of the "middle east countries" but they have a very similar taste in music media type="youtube" key="X947C_ylpjs" height="315" width="420" align="center"

here is some music of the middle east region ranging from north Africa to most of east Europe

Music history/changes

The music in the middle east has been associated with prostitution and drinking, but in reality using vulgar words in music is illegal in islam culture as well as permiscuous dancing of women. Most music is played to trance,meditate, and seek god. Their folk music has been known for the certain off-pitch quality it has has well. These sounds aren't on accident, they are created on purpose, and a big contributer to this is that the octave is divided into quarter steps instead of half steps as in our music theory. It has also has a rajaz time meter that is said to have corresponded with their camels long strides.

Instruments

the middle east has some very unique instruments that have influenced some of the instruments that you see in our culture here in the US. the first instrument is called an oud. it is a pear shaped lute that started with four strings but has been changed to have six sets of two strings together, comparable to a guitar in our culture. It has been around for many years and has been used in middle eastern music for quite some time. media type="youtube" key="Xrw1FuA837g" height="315" width="420" align="center"

this is some sound of the oud

there are many versions of the oud in all of the middle east area, but this is the traditional one another string instrument that the middle easterners use that is different is called a qanun. it is like a small harp that lays on the lap and is plucked with pieces of horn that are placed on the index fingers. media type="youtube" key="6vKFrQvJmZM" height="315" width="420" align="center"

here is some songs on the qanun

Along with these instruments middle eastern music also uses instruments we have heard of such as the harp, violin, and even guitars.

People of The Middle East

The people that make up the middle east are mostly arabic, but as anywhere else there is a mixture of races aside from that. There are a couple religions that are fairly large in the Middle East, and they are Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Muslim. People in the Middle East are generous and go by the "Golden Rule" that is treating others how you would wish to be treated. The people also show more affection towards others and it is accepted and not thought of as homosexual.