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Maqam Rast for beginners: notes, structure and practice
The structure
The degrees of Rast: 1 - 2 - ½b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - ½b7. On D the notes are D E F♯↓ G A B D♭↓. On C the notes are C D E↓ F G A B↓.
It resembles a major scale, but the third and seventh degrees are lowered by a quarter tone compared to the major. This gives it its open, dignified sound.
Two identical segments
The first four notes (1, 2, ½b3, 4) form a Rast segment. The same segment repeats from the fifth degree (5, 6, ½b7 and the root an octave higher). That makes the maqam easy to remember: learn one segment and move it to the fifth degree.
How to start practicing
- Choose an instrument and a root (D is a comfortable start).
- Turn on the drone on the root.
- Choose one position of three frets and play it note by note with the metronome.
- Check the yellow notes with the tuner in quarter-tone mode.
- After a few days move to the next position, and later to Rast on another root.
What next
After Rast you can learn Bayati (one quarter tone, on the second degree), or Nahawand and Ajam, which have no quarter tones and are close to minor and major.