Improvised Forms

The Taqsim, Layali, Mawwal and Qasida

Form Index

Improvised forms are the most immediate vehicle for a mutrib (singer) or an instrumentalist to connect with their audience while exploring and working with a maqam's sayr.

The Layali

The Layali form is a vocal solo improvisation on the phrase "Ya Layl Ya ‘Ayn" (O Night, O Eye), where "layali" is the Arabic plural of the word "layl". This is a traditional phrase that is not used for its literal meaning any more, but has become more of a vocal filler and a vehicle for vocal ornamentations.

Layali can stand alone but more commonly they are used as a prelude for the next vocal form (e.g. Mawwal, Qasida, or even a composed vocal form). In that case they serve as a warm up, and help the singer get immersed in the maqam.

The Mawwal

The Mawwal (plural Mawawil) is a solo vocal improvisation on a colloquial Arabic poem. For example, the poem could be in the Egyptian, Lebanese, Syrian or Iraqi dialects. As with other vocal improvisational forms, the mawwal is a vehicle for showcasing the maqam's sayr, as well as the singer's beautiful voice and ornamentation technique.

One important type of mawwal is the "Baghdadi Mawwal", also called Sab‘awi (from sab‘a, seven) because it comprises 7 lines that rhyme as A, A, A, B, B, B, A. The Baghdadi Mawwal is very popular in the Aleppan repertoire, alonside the Muwashahat and Qudud forms.

The Improvised Qasida

The Qasida (plural Qasa'id) is a metered poem in classical Arabic. It can be used in a composed form (see the composed qasida) or, in this case, used in an improvised form. The improvised qasida is identical to a Mawwal in how it features a maqam's sayr, and the singer's skills and artistry.

The Taqsim

The Taqsim (plural Taqasim) is an instrumental improvisation guided by a traditional framework that very closely follows a maqam's sayr (including intonation, phrasing and modulation). The taqsim also showcases the beauty of the instrument, its ornamentation possibilities, and the performer's skills, technique and personal voice.

The taqsim must follow a narrative arc and consist of sections separated by mini cadences and brief pauses. The taqsim can be a stand-alone piece, or it could be embedded in a song or a wasla.

The most popular and widespread taqsim instrument is the oud, along with the violin, nay and qanun. Arabized instruments like the accordion can also be used for a taqsim.

Explore other groups of forms: