The maqam system is the backbone of Middle Eastern music, offering a rich and expressive palette that goes beyond standard Western scales. As a guitarist, incorporating maqam into your playing can open new creative possibilities, adding depth, emotion, and a unique cultural flavor to your sound. In this article, I’ll break down my approach to integrating maqam into modern guitar playing, blending tradition with rock and fusion elements.
1. What is Maqam?
Maqam (plural: maqamat) is a modal system used in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish music. Unlike Western scales, which are built on equal temperament, maqam relies on microtones—notes that fall between the standard half-steps in Western music. This gives maqam its signature sound, full of expressive bends and intricate phrasing.
Each maqam has a tonal center and a characteristic feel, much like Western modes, but with a more fluid and melodic nature.
2. Key Maqamat for Guitarists
If you’re new to maqam, start with these foundational scales:
Maqam Hijaz (The Exotic, Dramatic Sound)
- Similar to the harmonic minor scale, but with a distinctive raised second.
- Used in flamenco, metal, and cinematic compositions.
- Try E Hijaz: E – F – G# – A – B – C – D – E.
Pro Tip: Use a wah pedal or slight gain to enhance the expressive bends of Hijaz.
Maqam Nahawand (The Emotional, Minor Scale)
- Sounds similar to the natural minor scale but with an added Middle Eastern touch.
- Great for rock ballads and fusion solos.
- Try A Nahawand: A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A.
Pro Tip: Experiment with sustained notes and delay effects to bring out its melancholic feel.
Maqam Rast (The Arabic “Major” Scale)
- Often compared to a major scale with a microtonal third.
- Works well in jazz-fusion and progressive rock.
- Try C Rast: C – D – E(quarter flat) – F – G – A – B(quarter flat) – C.
Pro Tip: Fretless guitar or subtle bends can help capture the microtonal feel of Rast.
3. Techniques to Incorporate Maqam into Rock & Fusion
A. Using Microtones & Bends
Since maqam relies on notes between standard frets, bending is key. Try:
- Quarter-tone bends for authentic maqam phrasing.
- Vibrato with subtle microtonal shifts to add emotion.
Exercise: Play an A Nahawand scale, but bend the 2nd and 6th notes slightly sharp for an expressive touch.
B. Alternate Picking & Legato for Fluidity
Many maqam melodies use fast, flowing lines. Combine:
- Legato (hammer-ons & pull-offs) for smooth phrasing.
- Alternate picking to create dynamic maqam runs.
Exercise: Pick a Hijaz scale and practice ascending runs using only hammer-ons and pull-offs.
C. Chord Progressions with an Eastern Twist
Western rock often follows I-IV-V progressions, but maqam-based music uses:
- Pedal Tones – Sustaining a root note while moving melodies above it.
- Diminished & Augmented Voicings – To add tension and resolution.
Example Progression in Hijaz: E – C – D – E (creates an exotic, mysterious feel).
4. Writing a Maqam-Inspired Rock Solo
If you want to write a fusion solo using maqam, follow this structure:
- Start with a clean, haunting melody using long sustain and delay.
- Introduce distorted phrases with bends and rapid legato runs.
- Build intensity with tremolo picking and fast maqam licks.
- Resolve with a climactic phrase, using a signature maqam note.
Try This: Record a simple power chord progression and solo over it using Maqam Hijaz for a cinematic rock sound.
Final Thoughts
Mastering maqam is not just about technique—it’s about emotion and expression. By blending it with modern rock elements, you can create a sound that is both traditional and innovative. Whether you’re writing a solo, crafting a riff, or exploring new sounds, maqam offers endless inspiration.
Are you incorporating maqam into your playing? Share your experiences in the comments or tag me in your videos—I’d love to hear your take on this fusion!
About Abbas Sharif Alaskari
Abbas Sharif Alaskari is a British guitarist, composer, and music producer known for fusing Middle Eastern melodies with Western rock. Formerly the lead guitarist of Desert Echoes, he is now working on his solo album Between Two Worlds. Follow his journey at abbassharifalaskari.com
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