Musical Instruments Used in The Arab World

Mahmoud El Gersha



What are the Instruments used in the Arabic music?

As you know, not every instrument can be used to play all the Arabic maqamat. So many artists before have created and chosen instruments that can play the maqamat, for example the violin has been brought from outside the Arab world many years ago and have been used to play the Arabic maqam, but it has a different tune than the western violin. As you all know that the Oud instrument has come from the Arab world and it is the main instrument to the Arabic music.

The Instruments used in the Arabic music:

·         Oud

·         Violin

·         Qanun

·         Nay (Air instrument same as the flute)

·         Riq (which is used for the rhythm made with cymbals)

·         Eqa'a (Which is used for the rhythm)

These are the main instruments used in the Arabic music, but there are many other instruments that are made by Arab people and some people still use these instruments but they are not well known. Did you listen to one of these instruments? Express your feeling by completing this survey.