by: Maral Maljian
Note: "b" signifies a flat and "#" signifies a sharp.
The Hijaz scale contains the notes A, B b, C #, D, E, F, G, A.
The songs in this scale are the Shoorch Bar, and the song about a
girl with Check Maserov Eh. I don't know the exact name of
that last song :)
The exact same scale can be found in Jewish Music. In Hebrew the
name of this scale would be the Ahavah Rabbah. The song
Nagilah Havah is in this key.
The Cushak scale is exactly like the western A minor scale
which is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. This is also the the relative minor of the
C major scale. The songs in this key are the Tamsaran and the
Haigagan Hogha song.
The Rast is exactly like a western scale too. The Rast
is the same as a G Major scale, which is G, A, B, C, D, E, F #, G.
The Armenian National Anthem Mer Hairenik
can be played in this
major key since the song itself is major. The
Hayr Mer is also in a major key and I believe it's G.
Here is a more in depth discussion of the Key of the Hayr Mer
emailed to me by
Meroujan my brother.
The Nihavend, if compared to a western scale, is just a harmonic
minor (minor scale with a raised seventh).
The scale itself consists of the notes G, A, B b, C, D, E b, F #, G.
The scales I have listed above all contain tones or notes that are present
in the Western Chromatic scale, therefore these melodies in particular can
be notated and can be played on western instruments such as a piano. There
are many other scales and songs in Armenian Music though, with semi-tones and
quarter tones that unfortunatly cannot be notated properly. If these songs
are performed on western instruments, they will not be played correctly. On
the other hand, if an instrument like a guitar, or a violin as opposed to a
piano performs it, the instrument may eisily be tuned to remedy this problem.
I'm sure there are some really good Oud and Kanoon players out there.
So if you know any more scales and songs associated with them, email me.
Or even if you see something wrong above.
maral@pegasus.rutgers.edu
If you have an in depth question about scales, your best bet is to
email Meroujan.
meroujan@hotmail.com
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