GHAZAL The word “ghazal” means rhymes while singing which is accompanied by musical instruments and the rhymes used has certain form.
Middle East
Iran
Iraq
Turkey
Countries Active in Ghazal
Pakistan
Ghazal variations in Malaysia
Malaysia
Northern India
Arab Ghazal
Johor Ghazal
Northern India
Praises upon Prophet Muhammad
Song lyric: Arabic language
Islamic Teachings
Directly from Middle East
Theme Resembles the west marching band and orchestra
Alternately being added with Middle East dance performances like belly dance in some countries especially during romantic song
Musicians and performances requirements
Arab Ghazal Musicians dress in Arab style
Musicians seats on chairs & singer facing the audience
Mostly in Kedah, Some in Johor
Instruments
Beats
West • rumba • samba • tango
Native Middle East Songs
Middle East • masri • sara • zapin
West Influence Violin, Accordian, Guitar, Double Bass, Drum, Flute, Bell, Celo, Maracas, Tambourine
Most important Gambus
Song lyric: Urdu language
Founded by Haji Musa bin Yusoff or known as Pak Lomak or Mejar Lomak
Social issues
Hindustan melody
Through Northern India
Theme
The beauties in nature
Ghazal Asli e.g Sri Mersing
Jawa Rhythm & Songs Hindustan/ Dangdut e.g Penawar Rindu
Johor Ghazal Joget from Portugis
Arab/Middle East • Inang/masri • Zapin
Instruments
Modification to suits Johorean / Ghazal Melayu • Gambus Melayu • Small shape & made of animal skin on the body face • Tambourine replaces bell • Harmonium, Tabla, Guitar, Violin • Additional instruments: • Flute, mandolin, marakas maruwas, rebana, tambor
Instruments in Northern India • The first instruments introduced: • Harmonium • Tabla • Bell • Other instruments: • Sitar, ghazal, gambus, biola & etc.
1) Harmonium a) An instrument that play melody or song. b) “Asli” way of playing harmonium the harmonium player plays the melody to accompany his/her singing or to accompany other singer. c) The way to play it is that, one hand is used to play the melody and the other to pump the air into the harmonium.
2) Biola (Violin) a) To be played along with harmonium but not many ornamentation. b) Sometimes at interlude, in between rhymes, violin might be the only instrument to play melody. c) String 1___________________________________D (the thinnest) String 2___________________________________G String 3___________________________________C String 4___________________________________F (the thickest)
3) Gambus (Oud) a) Instrument for melody which can also add some ornamentation as accompaniment b) To be used as solo instrument at beginning of the song or interlude c) There are two kind of gambus used in Malaysia; gambus Melayu has small shape & made of animal skin on the body face and original instrument from Middle East d) Safety and Precaution (animal skin)(this also applied to tabla) i) Keep in room temperature ii) Avoid storing in moist condition
e) All string is paired except the 6th string which totals 11 strings. f) String 1___________________________________Bb (the thinnest) String 2___________________________________F String 3___________________________________C String 4___________________________________G String 5___________________________________D String 6___________________________________A (the thickest) (single string)
4) Guitar a) This instrument is paired with gambus and has the similar function. b) Sometimes guitar are used to accompany songs and play chords. c) String 1___________________________________D (the thinnest) String 2___________________________________A String 3___________________________________F String 4___________________________________C String 5___________________________________G String 6___________________________________F (the thickest)
5) Tabla a) Originated from India. It is made as two parts. Size\Country
i)
India
ii)
Indonesia
iii)
Small
chalte
dang
dhin
Big
daga
dut
Bam
Malaysia
There are few Ghazal group in Malaysia.
Seri Penambang……Muar
Seri Maharani…..Muar (founded in the 40s)
Seri Pemuda……Muar
Seri Kenangan……Muar
Seri Banang…….Batu Pahat
The first song introduced by Mejar Lomak is Sri Mersing. Sri Mersing has two verses of rhymes. The singer of ghazal asli sings in high pitch not relaxed pitch. In the song there are “char”, verse, chorus, and “bridge”.
“Bridge” is played before the verses, after “char” and after chorus.
“Char” is usually played at the beginning and the ending of the song
“Char” is played in inang dangdut rhythm
Sometimes “char” is played in the middle of the song.
“Tafsin” is the melody played without tempo and rhythm.
Maracas controls tempo in Ghazal music arrangement.