Phraseology – Hidjaz-Hidjaskiar

Music phrases (licks) are key in using the modes and maqams on the bouzouki. It is one thing to know the notes of the mode and another to use them. For this reason, we are publishing “Phrases on Bouzouki” by the great bouzouki player Manolis Karantinis. It is a superb set of videos featuring key-phrases (licks) in each mode.

In the video, Manolis plays the scale – “abc” notation, solfège – a beautiful improvisation and a smashing set of phrases. The bouzouki was recorded with an AKG 414 microphone by the exceptional sound engineer Athanasios Gikas, at Mythos Studios, Athens.

Third in the series are “Hidjaz” and “Hidjazskiar”. They have a common tetra-chord in the lower part of the scale: Semitone – 1.5 Tone – Semitone.
In Hidjazskiar this shape is also found in the high part of the scale creating a symmetric structure: [Semitone – 1.5 Tone – Semitone] – TONE – [Semitone – 1.5 Tone – Semitone].
In Hidjaz the seventh note is lower by a semitone: [Semitone – 1.5 Tone – Semitone] – TONE – [Semitone – Tone – Tone]

The two modes often interchange.

Note:
The modes played by Greek bouzouki players are named and categorised differently than in jazz or middle eastern music.

Duration: 13′ 41″