Words & music

The Journal

Essays on the maqam, translations of songs I love, and notes from a saxophonist still learning this music.

All andalusian lyrics maqam muwashshah saxophone theory translation

The Colour of Maqam Rast

Rast is often called the "mother of the maqamat." Here's how it feels under the fingers, why that neutral third matters, and how I approach it on sax.

Jun 20 · 3 min Read

Maqam Nahawand

Lamma Bada Yatathanna — A Translation

One of the most beloved muwashshahat of the Andalusian tradition, line by line — the Arabic, a transliteration, and my English translation.

Jun 5 · 2 min Read

The Journal

The Colour of Maqam Rast

Lamma Bada Yatathanna — A Translation

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