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Eastern music, Western musicians

10 Aug 05 - 07:35 PM (#1539737)
Subject: Eastern music, Western musicians
From: GUEST

Are there any English violinists out there who have learned or are attempting to learn Eastern music on the violin, for example Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish. Also, Algerian music, which I love. I have been listening to Natasha Atlas, Hassan Shariff (most beautiful voice I have ever heard, yet), Ibrahim Tatlises, Khaled, Cheb Mami, all fantastic...but so difficult for an amateur English musician to master.

I'd like to hear from any English musicians if they are also interested in these types of music. I think also some kind of fusion of these styles, East and Western, can go together really well, as we have seen already with Bollywood and bhangra becoming mixed with English dance music.

What difficulties do you have and how have you overcome them. These scales are so beautiful but so complex and strange when you haven't grown up listening to them, they haven't been embedded in your soul.


11 Aug 05 - 03:22 PM (#1540297)
Subject: RE: Eastern music, Western musicians
From: GUEST

Hmmm...no-one replied to my previous plea...I guess I'm alone in this one?? Cmon, there must be some of you who have dabbled in Eastern delights (no I'm not talking about that ladyboy you mistakenly got off with in Thailand..)


11 Aug 05 - 03:32 PM (#1540304)
Subject: RE: Eastern music, Western musicians
From: Le Scaramouche

Alas, I don't play violin, but excellent music. Especially Ibrahim Tatlises. There is a superb DVD of a concert he gave in israel, watching the musicians might give you some pointers.
Of course, most Eastern music nowadays tends to be done in ensembles.
Davey Graham is an early example of fusing Eastern and Western music. it's on guitar but don't let that stop you.


11 Aug 05 - 03:57 PM (#1540336)
Subject: RE: Eastern music, Western musicians
From: GUEST

I'll check out Davey Graham. What instrument do you play? I could do with a guitarist.


11 Aug 05 - 04:08 PM (#1540352)
Subject: RE: Eastern music, Western musicians
From: Le Scaramouche

Working on tin whistle. Want to pick up clarinet again some day as used to play it when I was 10 or so. That's an excellent instrument for Eastern music of all kinds.
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