PURPOSE
- Develop your performance by analyzing theoretical and practical concepts
- Improve your musical knowledge and instrumental technique
- Acquire the tools (tetrachord modes) to develop improvisation techniques (taqsim)
- Explore the different methods of interpretations
- Develop your analytical and listening skills
- Extend your practice of classical Arabic music through different modes of playing
EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
Teaching methods: Beyond the so-called « traditional » teaching, the program will be constituted around a new approach which will allow to widen the various modes of interpretations based on the rhythmic use of the plectrum (device allowing to pluck or scratch the strings of the Arabic Luth – Oud).
In order to implement this work, oriented on the links between melodies and different rhythmic structures, the master class will be led by Ahmad Al Khatib on the Arab lute (Oud), and Youssef Hbeisch on percussion.
This is an innovative teaching method, which will be articulated by following 3 pedagogical methods :
> Collective sessions with Oud and percussions, for the analysis of melodic lines and rhythmic structures
> Individual sessions per instrument, to develop modes of interpretation and improvisation
> Ensembles sessions to put into practice what has been learned at the end of each day.
PROGRAM
ARABIC LUTH:
1. Tiri ya tayarra/ Fairuz
2. Albahhara-Marcel Khalifa
3. Gypsy perfume/Anouar Braham
4. Longa Nekriz Said Shraibi
5. Samai Muhhayyer-Tanbouri Djamil Bey
6. Layali Lubnan- Muhammad Abdul-wahhab
7. Salma’s Dance/ Ahmad Al Khatib
Scores will be sent to you upon receipt of your registration.
PERCUSSION:
1. Two- and three-unit rhythms (active, semi-active, non-active
2. Binary rhythms Ayub, Karachi, Malfouf…
3. Samai thaqeel rhythm (10/8, subdivided 3+2+2+3)
4. Rythmes en 6/8: Darej khaliji, Darej masri, Mizan al darj, Okruk…
5. Rhythms in 7/8 (Mandira: 2+2+3, then 2+3+2 and 3+2+2)
6. Georgina rhythm (Iraq), polyrhythms…
TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
Each participant will come with their own instrument, footrest, music stand, accessories and printed scores and will bring if possible an oriental percussion instrument (Riqq, Daf, Darbouka…). If necessary percussion instruments can be provided by the organization.
REGISTER NOW
>> ON-LINE PRE-REGISTRATION <<
>> RATES & REGISTRATION PROCESS <<
BIOGRAPHIES
Masters of oud and rhythm Ahmad Al Khatib and Youssef Hbeisch express through music a thirst for freedom which revives classicism. Inventiveness combined with refinement, inwardness mingled with energy, generate emotion among all listeners.
AHMAD AL KHATIB
The composer and soul of the group, Ahmad Al Khatib’s knowledge and understanding of the musical culture of his ancestors is impeccable. As their recognized successor, he develops that culture in new directions. From the age of eight, he was under the rigorous instruction of oud master Ahmad Abdel Qasem, going on to complete a university course in musicology and Western classical cello with flying colors. After several years teaching at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in East Jerusalem, he was forced to leave Palestine, thereafter publishing several works on oud instruction and on musical transcription for modern Arab composers which have become essential references.
Since 2004, he has taught the theory of modal music, composition and ensemble music at the University of Gothenburg. In Sweden, he enjoys playing alongside musicians interested in exploring Scandinavian folklore. Whilst across the Middle East the red carpet is rolled out for this respected master, in the West he is invited to “World Music” festivals where he listens with fascination to the many traditions from around the globe. An inquisitive inventor of languages who has gone beyond the language of his roots, he has had plenty of opportunity to feed his creative juices from all sorts of inspirations. Although he has equally come to cherish and lay claim to those painful roots.
One foot in the past, one foot in the future: the image is also fitting for Ahmad the instrumentalist, a performer of great purity and depth, who is constantly exploring the oud’s entire range of expression and tirelessly seeking out its finest nuances.
Teaching :
>> Gothenburg University (Sweden) – The Academy of Music and Drama – Since 2006:
• Theory teacher at the world music department
• Ensembles coaching
• Individual instrument teacher
>> At the gearing committee with Stig-Magnus Thorsén planning for a research on Palestinian music.
>> The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (ESNCM) (Ramallah, Palestine) – From 1998 to 2015 :
• Head of the Oriental music department and the publication unit. Edited a Syllabus for Middle Eastern music grading system used at the ESNCM in Palestine
• Oud, Cello and music theory teacher at the National Conservatory of Music (from 1998 to 2002). Yarmouk University (Irbid – Jordan) College of Fine Arts – From 1997 to 1998.
• Cello Teacher
Publications:
• Contemporary Arab Composers Series: Arabic instrumental Music, (5 Books). Published by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music
• Arabic Music: Teaching traditional music in modern institutions, master thesis in music education, Academy of Music and Drama, Göteborg University Sharqiyat,
• An Anthology of Oriental Music Pieces (5 Books). Transcribed and Edited by Ahmad Al-Khatib. Published by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.
• Musiqana.net, Website for Arabic music theory and improvisation
Awards:
• First Prize: Solo Playing Competition, Amman, Jordan, 1990, 1991.
• Planeta Prize 2013, Inspirer of the year, Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Aga Khan Music Awards in Performance 2019, in recognition of high artistic achievement as a Finalist.
YOUSSEF HBEISCH
Youssef is often to be found performing at Ahmad’s side. Born in Galilee, he met Ahmad at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in East Jerusalem. For ten years, he also taught at the Beit Almusica Conservatory in Shefa’amr, Galilee, where he ran master classes and percussion therapy workshops. He now lives in Paris, but his numerous collaborations have taken him all over the world. He has composed for the theatre and the cinema and has accompanied the likes of Karloma, the Oriental Music Ensemble, Simon Shaheen, Süleyman Erguner, Aka Moon, Issa Hassan, Khaled, Lena Chamamyan, Dorsaf Hamdani, Ibrahim Maalouf, Sister Marie Keyrouz, Lo Còr de la Plana and Manu Théron, Rula Safar, Bratsch, Abed Azrié, the Khoury Project and Philippe El Hage. He is also the fourth pillar of Le Trio Joubran.
At every concert, the audience are blown away by his tenacious dexterity, and the enormous pleasure radiating from his improvisation is infectious. With each project, Ahmad continues to be in awe of the thirst for music and experimentation of his fellow musician, whose creativity nourishes his inspiration. An instinctive musician, Youssef Hbeisch can immediately find his way around any piece of music, stamping his personal mark during the collective stage of its creation. This mark, forged from the discoveries made along the way since his earliest childhood, is composed of many influences, Latin, Indian, African, Brazilian, as well as more personal memories, such as his mother sieving grain. Youssef has drawn on his own culture to develop polyrhythms and polymetres which he has enriched and embellished by virtue of his ever lively curiosity. In keeping with the compositional spirit of Zabad, Youssef wanted to preserve the idea of a traditional sound. Making use only of the customary Darbuka, Bendir and Riqq, he has added some cymbals and bells to enhance the vibrancy and mood. He has also retained a rhythmic expression and a range of techniques which define his distinctive style.
His playing provides the compositions with a framework as well as a sublime sheath of sound: the contrast between the sharp movements he stamps out on the Riqq and the laments he draws from the Bendir will bring a lump to the throat of the most cerebral amongst us.
Teaching
• Teacher for percussion and oriental rhythms at the Edward Said Conservatory 1997-2006
• Teacher for percussion and oriental rhythms at Beit al Musica 1996-2006
• Teacher of rhythms through workshops and master classes: University of Gothenburg- Gothenburg/Sweden, Guildhall school- London/England, Les Suds à Arles
Publications:
• Doors and Keys for oriental rhythms : Composed by Youssef Hbeisch, published by Beit al Musica and the Edward said national Conservatory.
• Musiqana.net, Website for Arabic music theory and improvisation