The music of the arabs by habib hassan touma is a in depth review of the theory practice and history of music in the arab world in addition to explaining the basics of arabic music theory touma provides standard musical notation for some awzan arabic rhythmic parterns and maqamat arabic modes. The late composer and musicologist habib hassan touma compiled a number of authoritative books on arab music in his lifetime originally published in germany in 1989 the music of the arabs from amadeus press is the first english translation of the book joining french and italian editions. Encompassing a history of more than 2000 years the music of the arabs is unique among the worlds various musical cultures this book presents an overview of arabic music throughout history and examines the artistic output of contemporary musicians covering secular and sacred instrumental and vocal improvised and composed music. Folk music however and contemporary popular music the so called new music are not taken into account p xv touma justifies treating the art music of the arabs as a whole despite the geographic separation and socio cultural distinctions between communities in morocco and iraq for instance on the basis of shared properties among