Thread: Arabic keyboards?

I'm thinking about getting a keyboard that's capable of playing Arabic music. I am extensively trained in playing European classical music on a piano, and I'm interested in starting to toy with Arabic.

Any recommendations? Brand names? Models? Tips on what to look for or what to avoid? Advice on which vendors to buy from?

Do you do MIDI hookups with your laptops, and if so, do you need special software?

Are amplifiers and speakers typically sold with the keyboard, or separately? If separately, what does a complete newcomer to electronic audio technology need to know about shopping for these items?

I have a number of sheet music books that could get me started on playing the songs I'm interested in, but where does one go to learn how to embellish it so that it doesn't just sound like one finger picking out the melody? And how does one figure out how to do this in a way that suits the Middle Eastern musical style rather than the Western aesthetic? Are there books that instruct this, or do you just figure it out by listening to lots of music and just copying what you hear?

Maqam.com sells these and may help you with more info.

Talk to Saqra, she's a pianist-turned-Arabic-keyboard-player.

Of like mind -Dunyah.

Yeah, Saqra got a keyboard a few years ago that plays the required quarter tones. It also plays many different instrumentations like ney, qanun, etc. Very cool!

I've enjoyed dancing to it many a' time!

Forget Maqam.com the GEM keyboards are not all that great and very limiting.
Yamaha sells two one a beginner and one a bit advanced. Ketron Vega EX4 night is the primo. Korg is also good.

.: Audiominds :. Professional Audio Solutions

This is where my brother got hsi keyboard.

Sean

Denise of Pangia plays a keyboard, she could be another good source of information.

You might want to check out what this dude has to say. He's very much into keyboard and wow-wow-wow does it sound GOOD:
Music - biography - Ali Arsoy - Artist, Musician
Rosette

Originally Posted by sblanck

Forget Maqam.com the GEM keyboards are not all that great and very limiting.
Yamaha sells two one a beginner and one a bit advanced. Ketron Vega EX4 night is the primo. Korg is also good.

.: Audiominds :. Professional Audio Solutions

This is where my brother got hsi keyboard.

Sean

Would you mind elaborating a bit more on why the GEM keyboard is less desirable? Mostly just due to idle curiosity on my part as I'm not planning to buy one, but the thought does cross my mind once in awhile.

Ebay also has a lot of them usually. Korg and Ketron Vega are very good names. I don't play music, but a lot of musicians have these.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I'm thinking about getting a keyboard that's capable of playing Arabic music. I am extensively trained in playing European classical music on a piano, and I'm interested in starting to toy with Arabic.

Any recommendations? Brand names? Models? Tips on what to look for or what to avoid? Advice on which vendors to buy from?

Do you do MIDI hookups with your laptops, and if so, do you need special software?

Are amplifiers and speakers typically sold with the keyboard, or separately? If separately, what does a complete newcomer to electronic audio technology need to know about shopping for these items?

I have a number of sheet music books that could get me started on playing the songs I'm interested in, but where does one go to learn how to embellish it so that it doesn't just sound like one finger picking out the melody? And how does one figure out how to do this in a way that suits the Middle Eastern musical style rather than the Western aesthetic? Are there books that instruct this, or do you just figure it out by listening to lots of music and just copying what you hear?

Hello Shira,
Just PM'd you!

Roland makes the best. IMHO Look for the oriental packages - most stores don't carry them but you can order online through musicians friend. I've had one for several years and love it. They are generally modestly priced as far as gear goes.

A general heads up - most musicians hate being replaced by a keyboard - you may get flack at venues if you take it out to play.

Surreyya

Originally Posted by dunyah

Would you mind elaborating a bit more on why the GEM keyboard is less desirable? Mostly just due to idle curiosity on my part as I'm not planning to buy one, but the thought does cross my mind once in awhile.

The option to split the keyboard to do different functions at the same time. My brother did a bunch of research and when he compared the one he has to the GEM's he felt they wern't going to allow him to do complicated pieces of music. The more memory and options you have the better. Audiominds definitly caters to keyboard players and has more gear, downloads, and so forth. Maqam he felt wasnt helpful or very knowlegeble. The only negative about audiominds is its not in the states and shipping takes a while.

Also you can go to youtube and type in a praticular brand of keyboard and there is usually someone playing a traditional song so you can hear what ti sounds like.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Xi2Do_nHk]YouTube - Korg Pa80 Mix[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUesluPxcng]YouTube - Lamma Rah el Sabr Ketron Vega EX4 لما راØ* الصبر منه[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua6MdrSjc_k]YouTube - Zay El-Hawa[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjE5UKPhsrw]YouTube - YAMAHA PSR-A300 demo[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrV0auu53Mc]YouTube - Ketron vega ex4 VS korg pa800[/ame]