Spring 2022, CairoThematic Course
In Love with Music? Journey in the world of Music
Course details
- Cycle
- Spring 2022, Cairo
- Starts
- Monday, Feb 14
- Meets
- Monday, 18:00–20:00
- Length
- 12 weeks
- Format
- In person
- Taught in
- English
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About the course
This course offers a musical analytical journey around some parts of the world. As we travel sonically from one place to another, we will try to culturally, politically, and spiritually contextualize the music, beats and instruments. We will do a lot of in-class music analysis and train our ears and senses to imagine narratives of colonization, identity, nationalism, philosophy, religion and nature-human relations. We will use multimedia resources to prompt discussions that could help us sonically map and contextualize music.
Towards the end of the course flow, we will look at movement. The music of people on the move - roads and waves- as well as the movement of the body as it syncs with music. As we conclude, we will try to understand the philosophy of improvisation in musical arts.
The flow of this course is designed for people who do music or are interested in music; where there will be a lot of practical in-class music analysis, films, podcasts and possible music jam sessions! Melody and discussions that will inspire us and add to our music literacy.
Who teaches it
Qais Raja is a professional musician, song writer, audio engineer and music producer from Jordan.
Qais is renowned for being the guitarist and percussionist of the Jordanian rock bands Jadal and Albaitil Ashwai. With more than 10 years experience in music writing and production, Qais is known for his authentic approach in writing , where he fuses folkloric music elements from many parts of the world with rock, synth wave and reggae.
From the fellow Resources and Media will be shared during the course. Also we will create a collaborative playlist for the course! Dates of Jam Sessions, concerts or music events are TBA.
Course flow
February 2022
How nature influenced music around the world?
In class
- ExerciseIn-class: Music Analysis
How the meditative Umm is translated into the music?
March 2022
How can musical instruments help us contextualize music in the Arab World? Who is Ziryab who took the Oud to Europe?
In class
- ExerciseIn-Class: Music Analysis
What does it sound like?
In class
- ExerciseIn-Class: Music Analysis
- Whose Song is this?
In class
- ExerciseIn-Class: Music Analysis
April 2022
How can we understand these fusions sonically and analytically?
- Latcho Drom
In class
- ActivityGuest TBA: فن الواو








