External Structure and Modal Progression of Shashmaqam
Feature "Gradual Ascending"
Tones of Maqam Rast
The ascending and descending pitches have different intervallic structures in Maqam Rast. For example, the intervallic structure of ascending Maqam Rast as shown on the slide is 1_3/4_3/4_1_1_3/4_3/4, while that of the descending Rast is 1_3/4_3/4_1_1_1/2_1 (Aoyagi 2001).
Maqam Rast in music theory is customarily designated with the tonic on C; thus, its ascending mode tones as shown on the slide can be C, D, E half-flat, F, G, A, and B half-flat. Its descending mode tones can be C, D, E half-flat, F, G, A, and B flat (“-” = half-flat) (Aoyagi 2001). In addition, C, F, and G are important tones as the 1st, 4th, and 5th scale degrees in Western music. An example of how the tones sound can be found at this website: “Maqam Rast.” The first tones you hear are the ascending tones, followed by descending tones. In addition, in Western music, we refer to scales and scale tones, but for Shashmaqam and other music of Central Asia, we refer to modes and modal tones.
Feature "Gradual Ascending"
Tones of Maqam Rast
The ascending and descending pitches have different intervallic structures in Maqam Rast. For example, the intervallic structure of ascending Maqam Rast as shown on the slide is 1_3/4_3/4_1_1_3/4_3/4, while that of the descending Rast is 1_3/4_3/4_1_1_1/2_1 (Aoyagi 2001).
Maqam Rast in music theory is customarily designated with the tonic on C; thus, its ascending mode tones as shown on the slide can be C, D, E half-flat, F, G, A, and B half-flat. Its descending mode tones can be C, D, E half-flat, F, G, A, and B flat (“-” = half-flat) (Aoyagi 2001). In addition, C, F, and G are important tones as the 1st, 4th, and 5th scale degrees in Western music. An example of how the tones sound can be found at this website: “Maqam Rast.” The first tones you hear are the ascending tones, followed by descending tones. In addition, in Western music, we refer to scales and scale tones, but for Shashmaqam and other music of Central Asia, we refer to modes and modal tones.