Instruments

A small frame drum with heavy brass jingles. Capable of both delicate shimmering textures and loud, driving patterns.

A goblet-shaped hand drum with a bright, ringing tone. The player alternates the deep centre stroke (dum) with sharp rim strokes (tak) to build every rhythm the dance is based on.

A simple bowed instrument, often with two strings and a skin-covered body, with a raw and nasal tone.

Played solo or in large unison string sections, it bends and slides through maqam in a way that closely imitates the singing voice.

Played with finger picks, with small levers that retune strings mid-performance to shift between maqamat. Cascading, harp-like runs are its signature.

A short-necked, fretless lute with a warm, woody voice. Its fretless neck allows the microtonal slides that define maqam.

Piercing and unmistakable, usually played by two or three musicians together over a saidi drum line.

A simple open reed tube with a breathy, human tone. Extremely difficult to master, and prized for its emotional directness.

Egyptian accordions are modified so they can play the quarter tones of maqam, giving them a sound unlike any Western accordion.