Author Question: What is the general form (structure) of the composition? What will be an ideal ... (Read 108 times)

NClaborn · **on:** Jul 25, 2018

What is the general form (structure) of the composition?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the rhythmic pattern that Mirhige, the riqq performer, is playing. What are some ways Mirhige creates variations on his repeating rhythmic pattern? (Answers may vary.)

What will be an ideal response?

juiceman1987 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

After an eight-measure melody, the ensemble plays a kind of melodic, rhythmic ostinato (repetitive pattern), during which each individual plays a solo taqasim, or improvisation. On CD 3:8 the buzuq is heard improvising first while the ensemble plays a repeating rhythmic/melodic pattern. Sometimes the buzuq plays in a metered rhythm; while at other times the instrument plays in a non-metered rhythm. The opening eight-measure melody periodically returns becoming a recurring refrain.

Answer to Question 2

The rhythmic pattern or iqa' played by Mirhige is made up of eight beats and is called wahdah. Two sounds come from the riqq: the low-sounding dumm, which happens once in each eight-beat cycle, and higher-sounding takks.
Mirhige creates many variations on this repeating pattern in addition to varying the tone color between the drum skin head and metal jingles, or sometimes plays only on the drum head alone.