The Westernization of Arab Music For Better or For Worse?

posted on: May 13, 2020

By: Yasmina Hage/Arab America Contributing Writer
Each Arab country has its music linked to its specificities and traditions. “Arab music” is a collection of oriental music from a vast geographical area that stretches from Central Asia to the Atlantic. All this music has been transmitted by oral tradition and has much in common. In fact, the commonalities are due to a shared vision of the world, spirituality, social space, as well as similar aesthetic conceptions. Over time, this music has become more and more westernized due to several phenomena.

What does Arab music represent?

Music is essential in Arab culture. Traditional music is rooted in a vast social and cultural reality with many meanings, in which the sound aspect is only one element besides the poetic and gestural elements. Being together, communicating, transmitting emotions, and living aesthetic creativity in a group is essential for music in Arab societies. These concepts help to convey values, spiritual precepts, and aesthetics. 

How did the westernization of music begin?

First of all, there was colonization, which led to the spread of Western culture in Arab countries. Western culture has been perceived by many in the Arab World as progress, modernization, and scientific. The first significant change dated back to the turn of the last century and was the result of the idea of modernization in the Arab world. In fact, this new idea of modernization pushed for change and promoted the westernization of music.

The changes in Arab music took place in three major stages. The first was the introduction of Western musical instruments into Arab music. The main traditional instruments used by the Arabs were the “Ud” (lute) and the “Nay” (flute). The second stage was the appearance of the first audio recording devices, the “phonograph.” Previously, an Arab song lasted about an hour and was very often improvised. So improvisation played a significant role in Arab music. The advent of audio recording limited the duration of music to just a couple of minutes and made improvisation impossible. Finally, the third stage was the appearance of the cinema. The films of the time were too westernized, so Arab music had a hard time integrating. Arab producers and directors, therefore, had to modify specific characteristics of Arab music to a more Western-style in order to adapt to Western scenes.

What are the reasons that have accentuated this westernization?

Today, globalization is a phenomenon that is increasing with the emergence of radio and television. So, the spread of the Western style of music has been accentuated. Now, the Arab populations witness what is happening in western countries and want to do the same. This is also linked to the “American dream.” The Western world represents progress, a new world full of freedom and dreams. As a result, the Arab population, especially young people, prefer the Western style of music.

The change also has happened because many from the middle class have left their native homeland to pursue academic studies in the West. As a result, they have adapted to the culture of their host country. Once there, they were able to discover all the wonders that other countries have to offer. However, they were also nostalgic for their homeland.

Once back home, these young people have had a desire to make their loved ones discover the novelties of the western world. In particular, music. However, they have been also pleased to be at home, be able to get together with friends and family again and enjoy the local music that they missed. This, too, has led them to mix Arab music with Western music. For example, today there is rap in the Arabic language, which is popular among young people.

Will Arabic music revert back to the way it was?

Today we are in a world where many Arab countries are proud of their past and some countries are increasingly eager to promote their culture, values, and music. As a result, the “classics” of Arab music are making a comeback, and more of new generations are engaged with this genre.

However, western Arab music is still prominent. The audio and video clips of Arab music are westernized because the artists want to target a broader audience. With these two contradictions, many Arabs believe that there will be no turning back as western music evolves. At the same time, their desire to re-visit their tradition for sure would help to preserve the values of Arab music while keeping up with new trends.

Sources:

https://en.annahar.com/article/745218-from-the-ouff-to-the-pop-what-changed-in-arabic-music

https://journals.openedition.org/lhomme/24942?file=1

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