Music Instruments and Ziryab's Influence

9th century, Ireland

Mechanical crank, like a violin

Capoeira martial arts music

Hindustani classical music, wire strings

More than 2000 years old, Ethiopia

Ziryab was a 9th-century Persian court musician known as the first Arab composer of chants.

Ziryab played the oud, a pear-shaped, stringed Middle Eastern instrument, and possibly developed it.

Baghdad, during Ziryab's time, was a large city and a hub for music and learning during the Abbasid Caliphate.

Ishaq al-Mawsili was Ziryab's mentor, heavily influencing his music.

Ziryab influenced the development of Arabic music significantly and became a legend

A stringed instrument that produces sound by vibrating strings.

A chordophone where strings stretch along a neck connected to the resonator.

A chordophone with strings stretched over a resonator or between two resonators.

A chordophone where strings are angled within a frame.

A chordophone with strings stretched from one end of a bow above the resonator.

A chordophone with strings stretched between two ends of a curved stem/bow.

The hollow part of a chordophone that amplifies the sound of the vibrating strings.

Instruments that make sound with vibrating strings.

Ziryab founded a music conservatory that blended Islamic and Spanish music, influencing flamenco and spreading his style throughout Europe.

Ziryab introduced Middle Eastern cultural practices to Europe influencing modern practices.

Ziryab's introduced new Middle Eastern foods and techniques to European dining traditions, creating the style of multi-course meals.

Ziryab introduced new clothing styles, including seasonal variations and lighter materials.

Ziryab invented toothpaste, deodorants, perfumes, cosmetics, and hair conditioner, impacting modern hygiene routines.

A type of religious singing performed by monks in Europe during the 6th to 10th centuries, influenced by Pope Gregory I.

A centuries-old Jewish folk song sung during Hanukkah, telling of the strength of Jewish faith.

A centuries-old Korean tradition at the Jongmyo shrine, where musicians honor Joseon Dynasty ancestors with music and dance.

A South African choir famous for its gospel music with vibrant rhythms and harmonies.

Music plays a crucial role in various religious ceremonies, tribal gatherings, and important occasions, setting the mood for celebrations.

A single, consistent melody line that forms the basis of Indian classical music.

The rhythm, a cycle of beats that drive the music in Indian classical music.

A pair of drums used in Indian classical music, consisting of a right-hand drum (davan) typically made of wood and a left-hand drum (bayan) often made of metal.

The tabla consists of two drums: the davan (right-hand) and the bayan (left-hand). The davan is typically made of wood and the bayan is often made of metal.

A black spot made from a mixture of flour and iron filings at the center of each tabla drum head. It creates a distinct bell-like sound when struck.

A long-necked string instrument with three sets of strings: melody strings, drone strings, and sympathetic strings that create a jangling sound.

A continuous, sustained note that provides a rhythmic foundation in Indian music.

Strings on a sitar that vibrate along with others, creating a rich and complex sound.

A small, reed-free organ with bellows that produces a drone sound.

To create a continuous drone sound that sets the mode or scale of the raga.

A traditional Japanese musical ensemble consisting of the koto, shamisen, and kokyu played together.

A Japanese stringed instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi.

A smaller Japanese stringed instrument played with a bow, often made from coconut or japonica wood.

A bamboo flute that replaced the kokyu in the Sankoku ensemble since the 19th century.

A blind Japanese musician considered the "father of modern koto." He revolutionized koto playing by developing new techniques and composing solo pieces, increasing the instrument's popularity.

Yatsuhashi's most famous composition, meaning "Study in Six Steps," is a foundational piece for koto players. It includes six variations, each with 52 beats, starting slow and becoming faster.

Koto players sit kneeling, leaning forward to pluck the strings near the right end. They use multiple picks, three on their thumb and others on the first three strings.

The koto is the national instrument of Japan, a stringed instrument with thirteen silk strings and a long, rectangular body.

Yatsuhashi transformed the koto from a court instrument to a widely enjoyed one. His compositions and techniques made the koto accessible to the general public.

A chanting practice in Japanese Buddhism involving rhythmic recitation of the Lotus Sutra, often done in groups to promote enlightenment and spiritual growth.

Māori singers perform traditional songs with deep cultural significance, often expressing emotions and stories related to their ancestors, history, and land.

A group of wandering minstrels in Bengal, India, known for their unique music and dance style that expresses spiritual themes and often features devotional lyrics.

Mevlevi dancers, also known as 'Whirling Dervishes', are a Sufi tradition in Turkey. They perform a ritual dance where they spin rapidly, symbolizing a journey towards spiritual union with God.

Musical compositions that represent a nation's identity and are played at significant events like sporting competitions and national holidays.