QANUN

The qanun originates from Mesopotamia and dates from the 9th century BC. The instrument is played in the Arab world, Turkey and Iran, among others. The qanun consists of a flat trapezoidal plate with a right angle that is often very beautifully decorated. 78 or 81 strings are stretched across the board (in groups of three). The strings are played with the fingers or with a plectrum. The pitch can be changed via the tuning buttons (even while playing).

We work from the oral music tradition: hearing, seeing and imitating, and the repertoire contains melodies from the Middle East. Prior knowledge and your own instrument are not necessary.  Your own instrument is useful in the longer term ... but know that a qanun is not cheap. We currently have a few instruments available - but they can only be used during class.

Osama Abdulrasol is a musician, composer, producer and visual artist. He was born in Babylon (Iraq) and studied western music in the UK and eastern music in Iraq. He has performed with various groups such as the Philharmonie, the Flemish Radio Orchestra, the Dutch Metropole Orchestra, Goran Bregovic, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Lucilla Galeazzi, Claron McFadden, Tom Robinson, Wannes Van de Velde, Luc de Vos, Lula Pena, Les ballets C de la B and several others.