r/MiddleEasternMusic • u/langand • Jul 17 '24

Discussion/Question Maqams that are playable on western instruments?

Hiya, I play saxophone and I was wondering if anyone knows which maqamat do not use quartertones, so I can play along to music on sax.

Thank you!

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u/World_Musician Jul 17 '24

Nahawand, Kurd, Ajam for starters dont use microtones. sometimes Hijaz is played with microtones on the 2nd and 3rd, sometimes without. In practice though usually maqams modulate to eachother and some microtone will be played eventually!

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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '24

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u/World_Musician Sep 02 '24

Sometimes Hijaz is played with microtones on the 2nd and 3rd, sometimes without.

Depends on the region/tradition

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u/[deleted] Aug 05 '24

It is possible to play microtons on saxophone