Qaynah

VicDiesel

Genre: Other

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Description

In pre-Islamic Arabia, the Qaynah was a female entertainer, who offered hospitality, including serving wine, reciting poetry, and singing or playing music.

This piece is not strictly Arabic in nature, but it plays on some conventions in middle eastern, and medieval western music.

Real instruments used: tenor recorder, oud, two tambourines and a frame drum. Synths: Trillian (bass), Zebra (pads), ES P (stuff panned way out), PianoTeq (piano & harpsichord).

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Song Stats

Hits: 699
Comments: 28
Fans: 18
Plays: 46
Downloads: 27

Uploaded: Jun 23, 2012 - 12:33:23 AM
Last Updated: Jun 23, 2012 - 03:55:06 PM Last Played: Mar 03, 2013 - 12:12:59 AM

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Creative Commons License:
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Comments

PaulaMunk	PaulaMunk said 336 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Charming. There's a sensuality that makes me want to move to the music. Lovely touches throughout. I feel as if I glimpse into a draped parlor where the lady entertained. Check out my latest song called Alone at Christmas

alackbass	alackbass said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Qaynah Beautiful melodies played beautifully! I love the constantly building backing track. That constant build and your lovely playing hold the listener's interest. How did you do the percussion? The percussion instruments sound very authentic. Check out my latest song called Just Ain't Worth a Song (2 Track)

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Percussion Two different tambourines, and one frame drum, all played live for a few measures, then looped. Glad you liked the piece. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

gadzooks

gadzooks said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)

Qaynah
Really like this Vic. The melodies are exotic ... well to my Canadian ears. That bass that starts the tune has a big rich tone ... I know there is some synth in here but are the other instruments the real thing because they sound like I'm in a room with live musicians. The progressive build up keeps you interested and I started to feel almost a bit intense towards the end...
middle eastern, and medieval tubular bells.
SG

Check out my latest song called Song of Life

Feter	Feter said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Qaynah A glimpse of history I m not sure in the last 400 yrs this term stayed in use but in old books this word mean a female slave ,Anyway I think if you told me this song is from a manuscript from Andalusia I d believe you . very nice and spiritual.Thanks a lot for sharing ! Check out my latest song called Roll with it

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Slave I don't understand Arabic, so I'll take your word for it. I'm reading about Arabic music and its history, and it's amazing how much is documented: lots of names of performers and other details going back way before the year 1000. Unfortunately none of the music.... Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

Feter

Feter said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)

True
I ve been following the silk route for the History of Music and how nations and peoples exchanged their art and music and if you are interested of Historical Arabic music and the connection with European's The best thing is to look into Andalusia's and Sicilian's lately lot of old manuscripts have been interpreted into modern day scales and it blew my mind how Medieval people were so much sounding the same off course considering the culture, the instruments and languages barriers .I have tried to record or play but I m not skilled as you so I m so enjoying all your explorations and pieces !

Check out my latest song called Roll with it

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)

My first...
MacJams listen on an iPad, which at first might seem unfair since the speakers are the size of fleas...

But, and this may be an important thing to know, this song as recorded passes the iPad test. What is surprising to me is how much of a sense of air and ambient space translates into the air, and how balanced it sounds. Admittedly, when someone commented on the tone of the bass, I had to say, "Bass?"...

But still, this is s recording and mix that translates well to a limitd playback medium...

The tune itself again reminds me of some of the music I love on John Renbourn's 'Lady And The Unicorn', something like 'Lamento di Tristan'...from that place where early music inhales a deep draft of the East and mixes it with its own modal roots.

Now I've got to go give it it's due and listen to it on good headphones. And hear that rumored bass...

Check out my latest song called Uno/I Like The Way... (with Macaudion, SISTERS, ktb, and ziti)

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)

Lamento
I already did that one: http://www.macjams.com/song/59218

This one plays more with the Cantigas de Santa Maria, an enormous collection of songs, from about the same time, 14th or 15th century.

Nice to know that it works on an iPad. That bass (acoustic bass guitar from Spectrasonics Trillian) has a very rich sound, but I filtered some of the lows to make it fit the acoustic character of the piece. That probably also made it more iPad-friendly.

Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 334 days ago (June 24th, 2012)
	You did... I had honestly forgotten that. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you've done a number of the pieces that Renbourn covered, since your tastes and knowledge seems to cover this period, among others... Check out my latest song called Uno/I Like The Way... (with Macaudion, SISTERS, ktb, and ziti)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 334 days ago (June 24th, 2012)

I'm finally listening to it on decent speakers...
The main vibe of the tune comes through much the same, but it's astonishing to me that that deep, rich bass just disappears completely on the iPad... And even so, it 'works' there...

It's great to hear the fuller version, though, and catch the details, and 'get' the way the melody plays against the bass...

Check out my latest song called Uno/I Like The Way... (with Macaudion, SISTERS, ktb, and ziti)

kristyjo	kristyjo said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	I love the build-up The way you do it adds depth inside the music, rather than new layers of melody, you continue to add internally. I like that. Check out my latest song called The Black Cat

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Build Thanks for the compliment. The melody line is one long improvisation (unedited, including a few bum notes), and it was indeed intended to build throughout. I'm happy it worked for you. Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

RochaMalhada	RochaMalhada said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	cinematic in its feel, brings much imagery to mind - even without the description above. Very nice Victor. . - Harold Check out my latest song called Ascent of a Tree (w Mike_D & FEEL)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Qaynah great piece vic. i like how you composed this with a slow build of the various instruments. percussion, bass and synths made for a good backdrop for you to play the flute over. this would be cool if there was a hurdy gurdy mixed in. but, i imagine one of those would be pretty hard to find Check out my latest song called Darkest Skies

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Hurdy gurdy I've been wanting to record something together with my buddy Theo. He has a great instrument..... Check out my latest song called Fourth Candle

Fire_Angel	Fire_Angel said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	So moody. Has a strong solemn mood to the melody but the strong rhythmic elements pulled it out of the depths nicely. Rare to hear something that conjures two opposite moods at once, a very clever trick that one. Downloaded for both study and enjoyment. Check out my latest song called An Eventful Walk.

grah3am	grah3am said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	Haunting Lovely development of sound here. Faved and DLed. (Short comment, as I concur with everyone else.) Check out my latest song called To the Dump

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 335 days ago (June 23rd, 2012)
	spiritual this somehow reaches down into my soul... it's hard to explain why... no words thank you Check out my latest song called RUOK

AcetyleneJukebox	AcetyleneJukebox said 335 days ago (June 24th, 2012)
	Very nice Was the Qayna similar to a Geisha? Anyway its a fascinating mix of medieval,arabic,electronic and even a touch of baroque. A unique multi-faceted track.Perfect mix also. Check out my latest song called Camino Embrujado

abzwork	abzwork said 334 days ago (June 24th, 2012)
	Qaynah... A touch of the mystique that has travelled on the hot winds of the middle east and around the penninsula...great vision in the melody..sand-shifting percussion..yes, my friend, many stories to be told over this gem..Big Smile City 4sure..:):):)peace Check out my latest song called As Soon As"

Jarvoid	Jarvoid said 334 days ago (June 24th, 2012)
	Very nice ...not really much more to say....oh yes much enjoyed. Jarvo Check out my latest song called Cripple Creek Revised........By Jarvoid and the Banjo Bedraggled Manic Mandolin Accordion Squeezers

Daugrin	Daugrin said 334 days ago (June 24th, 2012)
	Charming details Thanks for sharing your talents with us... Daug Check out my latest song called Ride Yer Bike

Philip18	Philip18 said 333 days ago (June 25th, 2012)
	Qaynah Beautifully warm and resonant instrumentation playing a delightful melody with great skill. Much enjoyed! Check out my latest song called Close to Midnight w/ alackbass, rok41, paul f. page, & KyasheMusic

pablatone	pablatone said 332 days ago (June 26th, 2012)
	very nice I like how you got all those layers in without mucking it up. Everything sits well in the mix, even in headphones. Check out my latest song called King Kong

tf10music	tf10music said 332 days ago (June 26th, 2012)
	this is transporting. I happen to love songs that call to mind another place and time, and you've certainly accomplished that here. I'm especially a fan of the soundbed beneath your recorder (I love the recorder too, though). As was mentioned, the timing and mix are both impeccable. I always enjoy your songs. Check out my latest song called Canto II: A Rough Beast (To Stave Off The Rot)

rok41	rok41 said 329 days ago (June 29th, 2012)
	Qaynah Victor, I love the fact that I can listen to so many different genres, done so very well...this is a prime example! Just captivating my friend. Check out my latest song called The Game

lholden	lholden said 319 days ago (July 9th, 2012)
	Qaynah Very cool piece... love the melodies. Thanks for sharing. Check out my latest song called If Only We Could

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Artist Info

Name: Victor
Location: Austin TX

My CD of Native American Flute music is out! Rain in the canyon by Oakensong In past lives, VicDiesel was a country fiddler, a shawm player at the Burgundy court, bellows pumper for JS Bach, Geoff Emerick's factotum, and a beggar playin... [see more]

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