Islamic music usually features a solo singer or highly skilled instrumentalist.

2. Espostio, John L. The Islamic World. Oxford NY: Oxford University Press. 2004. Print Book 1Islamic Musical Traditions Page 1s • The hadith contains many statements condemning the arts, although Muhammad displayed some tolerance for war marches, pilgrimage chants, and festival songs • Some Muslims consider music only for rituals and religious occasions, while some value it as a form of entertainment • Many Muslims consider music as a means of connecting with God or promoting religion

3. History and Origins Book 1s Page 2 • In pre-Islamic societies music was considered an inspirational force. Shairs (poet-singers) were believed to have supernatural powers. They chanted verses at wars, and accompanied warriors at battle. • Where it was preformed: courts and taverns, practical functions, and religious events. • After the rise of the Islamic empire, wealthy Muslims acquired slave musicians to preform at concerts and competitions • During the height of the Abbasid dynasty, anyone who was educated played an instrument, and music became a study for philosophers and scholars.

4. Music in Religion Book 1s Page 3 • Often times, music is used to commemorate weddings and other major events. It is also used during tasks of labor to enliven the work. • Many religious practices involve music, including chanting passages from the Qur’an, as well as chanting prayer in a melodic style. • Early scholars such as Abu Hamid al-Ghazali taught Muslims how to attain spiritual purification through careful attention to music.

5. Influence of the West Book 1s Page 3 • During the 1700s, European musical traditions influenced Muslim artists and leaders after they colonized the Islamic world. • Due to the European influence, Islamic music began to take on Western elements such as large ensembles and electronic amplification. This soon developed melodies and rhythm. • Muslim musicians began to use Western instruments such as the cello, accordion, and saxophone.

6. Features of Islamic Music Book 1s Page 4 • Islamic music usually features a solo singer or highly skilled instrumentalist. • The musician exhibits their talent through improvisation and the invention of new melodies and themes. • The structure of a song is more important than the detail within the song. • Soloists perform in styles such as layali and taqsim.

7. Rhythm and Melody Book 1s Page 5 • Islamic musicians rarely use harmony. Most use Middle Eastern melodies. • While Western music relies on whole and half steps between notes, Islamic music uses a wider range of intervals. • Melodic modes are known as maqamat and consist of scale patterns, units of measurement, and notes of emphasis. • There are over 100 maqamat in Islamic music, each with a title and referring to a place, object, individual, or event. It also uses emotional concepts like love. • Islamic rhythms, known as iqaat, are organized into cycles of strong beats, weak beats, and pauses. • There are over 100 rhythmic patterns, and all use iprovization.

8. Islamic Arts and Architecture. Islamic Arts and Architecture Organization, 1995. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.<http://islamicart.com/index.html>ArchitecturesWeb. 1 • Houses are usually placed around a courtyard with high windowless walls and only one single low door. • An Arab house is never complete; as each family grows, so does the house. The growth of the home changes through generations as families become larger. • The architecture of the courtyard house has been called the architecture of the veil. With a plain facade, the house's innermost sanctum, the courtyard, is kept secret. This is considered protection for the family inside the home. • Because of the lack of emphasis on external appearance in Islamic architecture, a structure is usually hidden by other buildings. If the facade is visible, it is rare that the it gives indication of its function.

9. Weightlessnesss and quote Web. 1 • "The various means by which the effect of weightlessness is created, the effect of unlimited space, of non-substantially of walls, pillars, and vaults are well known” unknown author. • A multitude of textures is created on surfaces to show technique and development. • Abstract shapes, floral patterns, and calligraphic writing serve as both religious images and decoration • Example: One of the most famous examples of Islamic architecture, the Alhambra was built in the 14th century and served as the royal palace for the Caliph, Abd-el-Walid. The Alhambra includes two inner courts set at right angles to each other. The courts lead to halls, which lead to apartments which are all richly dressed in geometric designs of stucco, ceramic and wood.

10. History of Art sWeb. 1 • It includes elements from Greek and Christian art which is combines with the great Middle Eastern cultures of Egypt, Byzantium, and ancient Persia, as well as far eastern cultures of India and China. • It was mostly formed by historical events including land conquered. • It was largely determined by political structures. • Most art consists of Arabic influence, including repetition of patterns.

11. Art(calligraphy)s Web.1 • Apart from the geometric forms used in Arabic art, calligraphy played a dominant role in decoration. • Almost all Islamic buildings consist of some type of inscription containing the words “Allah” or “Muhammed”. • Written from left to right in Arabic.

12. *Refer to article “Islamic Art” in libraryCalligraphy (continued)s Web. 2 • Qur’anic verses embellish mosques, palaces, homes, buildings, and public areas. • Often calligraphy is done in conjunction with decorative motifs, embellishing what is most sacred to Muslims. • Over centuries, many different scripts of Arabic have evolved in various Muslim regions.

13. Common SkillsSWeb. 2 • Skills such as embroidery and fine crocheting were typically common among Muslim woman. • Growing girls and their mothers would work on embroideries during periods of spare time before the girls marriage. After marriage the bride would use the hand made linens for her new home. • Handmade tapestries, linens, garments etc. were used in everyday life for Muslims.

14. Architecture (Types of Buildings)s Web. 2 • The principle types of Muslim Architecture are the mosque, the tomb, the fort, and the palace • Mosque: focal point of brotherhood. Adorned with bands and panels of ornament. Covered in mosaic. Carved with typical scroll work as well as marble veneer work. Sassanian, Coptic, and Syrian elements are recognized in Muslim work. • Palaces: glass mosaic paving, frescos, archways, inscriptions, columns, decorative bands

15. http://www.patterninislamicart.com/background-notes/materials-and-mediums/Materials used in Islamic Arts Web.3 • The earliest Islamic monuments, dating from the Umayyad period, clearly continue the Roman/Byzantine tradition in their typical structures and in their use of dressed and carved stone. These techniques continued under later dynasties in Egypt and Syria • brickwork was the building technique in eastern Islamic provinces. Brickwork was soon being used in quite novel and more decorative ways than in the past. • Mosaic was used to add color and pattern • Plaster was a well-established building material and was used to cover rough, rubble walls for centuries • Traditionally, wood was used for doors and window shutters, but the finest work is generally found on pulpits, the key piece of furniture in a Mosque.

16. Everyday Lifes Web.3 • The Muslim tradition makes Utilitarian items into a decorative creation. Even very simple everyday items are ornamented and honored. • "God likes that when you do anything, you do it excellently" –Islamic prophet • Many ancient Muslim works have become prototypes • Traditional methods to create simple everyday embellished items are still used in Islamic art today