Music in the World of Islam A Socio-cultural Study

The story of music told in this study begins in pre-Islamic times with musical forms that bear stromg imprints of the Bedouin's tribal way of life. Pre-Islamic music can be viewed as the forerunner of the art music that acquired a foothold after the advent of Islam. The history of Arab music then became inextricably entwined with the musical traditions of the conquered lands. The merging of deverse forms into a unique common style marked the advent of the great musical tradition that gained favour throughout and extensive geographical area. By the end of Islam's third century, distinct autonomous styles began to appear involving Persians and Turks in particular.