Maqams

The maqams (Arabic for position) can be called scales or modes and are common in music
from Middle East and in Turkish Ottoman classical music ("Makam" can be translated to
scales or modes in Turkish). One of the things that distinguish a maqam from a scale is that a
maqam sometimes use quarter tones (a pitch between two semi-notes, e.g. a tone between F#
and G).

There are lots of maqams that are organized in several groups and not very easy to grasp at
the first moment. The scales illustrations below will give you a short introduction to Arabic
maqams. As you can see the scales in different keys also have specific names. Maqams often
begins on C, D, Eb (quarter-flat), F, G, A or Bb (quarter-flat).

C (Hijaz Kar Maqam)

Notes: C, D, E, F, G, Ab, B, C

D (Shahnaz)

Notes: D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb, C#, D

Eb (Maqam Mustar)

Notes: Eb, F#, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb

F (Maqam Jiharkah)
Notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F

G (Shadd Araban)

Notes: G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F#, G

A (Suzidil)

Notes: A, Bb, C#, D, E, F, G#, A

Bb (Ajam Maqam)

Notes: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A#, Bb

Intervals
As you can see the intervals differs in the scales above. The interval steps with quarter tones
are written like 3/4. For example in Eb (Maqam Mustar) the intervals are: 3/4 - 1- 3/4 - 3/4 -
1 - 1 - 3/4.

For further reading MaqamWorld.com can be recommended.