Ghazal : The Origin 6y453e

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

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Seri Maharani…..Muar (founded in the 40s)

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Seri Pemuda……Muar

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Seri Kenangan……Muar

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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.

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“Char” is usually played at the beginning and the ending of the song

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“Char” is played in inang dangdut rhythm

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Sometimes “char” is played in the middle of the song.

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“Tafsin” is the melody played without tempo and rhythm.

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Maracas controls tempo in Ghazal music arrangement.