plural Maq─m─t, in Isl─mic music, a set of pitches and of characteristic melodic elements, or motives, and a traditional pattern of their use, forming a system for the melodic and tonal construction of performances. A maq─m can be represented by a seven-tone scale. The number of maq─m─t in use has varied through history, with more than 100 described in the literature. The division of the octave into intervals has also varied historically. A melodic motive is based within a unit, or span of four notes, and each maq─m has a typical pattern of motion among the units. The tonal characteristics of the maq─m serve as a guide for improvisation, which usually proceeds toward successively higher pitch levels. The maq─m is established during the solo prelude to an instrumental performance, before the accompanying instruments enter. Later in a piece, modulations to different maq─m─t are possible but with a final return to the original scale. In a suite, a common form in Arabic music, all sections are performed in the same maq─m. By guiding the formation of melody, the maq─m─t set the moods of pieces and thus have traditionally been associated with the signs of the zodiac, the humours, and the elements. Present-day Arabic, Turkish, and Iranian music developed from the Isl─mic tradition. Compare dastgah. |