Layali
Encyclopedia
Layālī is a style of unmetered modal improvisation, based on a maqam
, performed by a singing voice in Arabic music. It is similar to the taqsim
, which is performed by a solo instrument.
The layali generally serves as an introduction to a mawwâl
. In the layali, the singer most often improvises using the common Arabic
phrase "Yā 'Aīn Yā Lail" (يا عين يا ليل), which means "Oh eye, Oh night."
The term layālī is the plural form of the word laīl (ليل, meaning "night").
Arabic maqam
Arabic maqām is the system of melodic modes used in traditional Arabic music, which is mainly melodic. The word maqam in Arabic means place, location or rank. The Arabic maqam is a melody type...
, performed by a singing voice in Arabic music. It is similar to the taqsim
Taqsim
Taqsim is the name of a melodic improvisation style that could be metric or non-metric, which usually precedes a composition in Arabic, Turkish, Greek, and other Middle Eastern music. The taqsim is usually performed by a solo instrument, yet sometimes the soloist can be backed by a percussionist...
, which is performed by a solo instrument.
The layali generally serves as an introduction to a mawwâl
Mawwal
In Arabic music, the mawwāl is a traditional genre of vocal music that is usually presented before the actual song begins. It is characterized by spelling vowel syllables longer than usual...
. In the layali, the singer most often improvises using the common Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
phrase "Yā 'Aīn Yā Lail" (يا عين يا ليل), which means "Oh eye, Oh night."
The term layālī is the plural form of the word laīl (ليل, meaning "night").