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Ep 321. Maya Youssef: Decoding the Mystery of Maqam, Taqsim & Tarab
Manage episode 478746953 series 2092128
Maya Youssef is a multi-award-winning composer and qanun virtuoso, acclaimed by the BBC as the "Queen of the Qanun." Recognized as the world’s leading mentor in Maqam and Taqsim, she has spent over a decade guiding hundreds of Arabic music enthusiasts and dancers in deeply understanding and embodying Arabic music — without relying on dry theory or vague clichés. Maya offers practical, dancer-friendly insights into recognizing Maqam by ear, understanding the true structure of Taqsim, and interpreting the emotional dynamics in the works of legends like Umm Kulthum and Farid al-Atrash. She is currently preparing a free "Maqam for Dancers Challenge" to help dancers forge a meaningful connection with Arabic music through embodied experience.
In this episode you will learn about:
- What is Maqam
- Nine most commonly used Maqamat, and how they “behave”
- The structure and rules of Taksim improvisation
- How to predict Tarab moment
- Why is it important for dancers to learn about Maqam and Taqsim
Show Notes to this episode:
Find Maya Youssef on Instagram. Find more about her Maqam for Dancers Intensive here: www.maqamfordancers.com/intensive-2025
Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com
Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.
Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.
Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast
307 episodes
Manage episode 478746953 series 2092128
Maya Youssef is a multi-award-winning composer and qanun virtuoso, acclaimed by the BBC as the "Queen of the Qanun." Recognized as the world’s leading mentor in Maqam and Taqsim, she has spent over a decade guiding hundreds of Arabic music enthusiasts and dancers in deeply understanding and embodying Arabic music — without relying on dry theory or vague clichés. Maya offers practical, dancer-friendly insights into recognizing Maqam by ear, understanding the true structure of Taqsim, and interpreting the emotional dynamics in the works of legends like Umm Kulthum and Farid al-Atrash. She is currently preparing a free "Maqam for Dancers Challenge" to help dancers forge a meaningful connection with Arabic music through embodied experience.
In this episode you will learn about:
- What is Maqam
- Nine most commonly used Maqamat, and how they “behave”
- The structure and rules of Taksim improvisation
- How to predict Tarab moment
- Why is it important for dancers to learn about Maqam and Taqsim
Show Notes to this episode:
Find Maya Youssef on Instagram. Find more about her Maqam for Dancers Intensive here: www.maqamfordancers.com/intensive-2025
Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.com
Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.
Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.
Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast
307 episodes
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