{[Islamic Art –] Music [continued (4)]}[15th April 1991]

[Redbook9:119][19910415:0840n]{[Islamic Art –] Music [continued (4)]}[15th April 1991]

19910415.0840

[continued]

‘Islamic music is monophonic;* ie. It consists of a single line of melody. In performance everything is related to the refinement of the melodic line and the complexity of the rhythm. The notion of harmony is completely absent, although occasionally a simple combination of notes, octaves, fifths, and fourths, usually below the melody notes, may be used as an ornamentation. Among the elements contributing to the enrichment of the melody are microtonality (the use of intervals smaller than a Western half-step or lying between a half-step and a Western whole step) and the variety of the intervals used.’

**

*{cf Development of polyphony in Christian Europe by c[irca]900CE (2048J~A~896)}

[[Redbook8:214-227][19910205:1412c]{The History of Western Music}[5th February 1991]]

** – ibid [Encyclopaedia Britannica 22:] 65-66

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