MusTra
Music & Translations
Greek dromoi · Turkish makams · Arabic maqamat · microtonal playing tips
How to use
- Press Start.
- Choose Dromos (Greek), Makam (Turkish), Arabic (maqam, in quarter tones) or Identify (type notes, get the name).
- Pick a name. Optionally type a tonic: D, A, F#, Eb… For makams also B-1 (B lowered by one koma); for Arabic Ed (E half-flat).
- You get the notes, the original makam and Arabic maqam beside each dromos, and the playing tips: ↑ bend the note up, ↓ hold it low.
- Each page suggests a song from the literature. Another shows a new one; Wrong? lets you give the right dromos/makam and suggest a better song. Your corrections stay on this device.
- Found a mistake in the theory of a dromos, makam or maqam? Correct the theory changes it on this device as a suggestion. Every version is kept, so you can roll back any time.
- Tap an equivalent (e.g. Arabic Bayati) to jump to it. Back returns here; End closes MusTra.
Preparing MusTra…
References
- Carmelo Siciliano — The Theory of Rebetiko
- Siciliano — Ousak mode and dromos
- Siciliano — Kiourdi mode and dromos
- Siciliano — Pireotiko(s)
- Wikipedia — Rebetiko
- Wikipedia — Turkish makam
- Wikipedia — Arabic maqam
- Maqam World
- Wikipedia — Holdrian comma
- Song lists — Λαϊκοί Δρόμοι (kithara.gr)
- Song lists — SalihBora.com
Makam pitches follow Arel-Ezgi-Uzdilek theory (53 komas per octave); Arabic maqamat use 24 quarter tones; dromos charts follow common rebetiko practice. Use your ears.