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From Makam to Saxophone: Techniques for Microtonal Performance (last edited: 2025)

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This research work is a practice-based enquiry that investigates the use of the saxophone in Middle Eastern music and in Makam-music in general. This research will not focus on a specific style, but on all aspects common to the various regional styles included within the Makam-music macrocategory. Characteristics such as microtonality, modality, ornamentation and a specific type of phrasing are in fact common to a very wide variety of musical styles, present in a geographical region ranging from the Balkan peninsula to Anatolia, the Arab world and North Africa. In this research I focused on the saxophone's technical possibilities of producing microtonal notes, which are fundamental to all makam-music. To do this, I analysed the approach of various performers, consulted some experts on the subject and self-analysed my own approach, developed over five years of studying this type of music. As a proof of concept of this work, I recorded three improvisations. On my practical outcome, I carried out analysis work together with the network of experts.

type	research exposition
keywords	Makam saxophone, Makam music, Arabic saxophone, Turkish saxophone, Microtonal saxophone
date	06/10/2025
last modified	29/10/2025
status	in progress
share status	public
copyright	Orlando Cialli
license	CC BY-NC-ND
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/3917986/3917987

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name	01 Introduction
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name	01 Motivation
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name	03 Research Framework
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name	05 Research overview
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name	IMG Copertina
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name	07 Examples of saxophonists
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name	15 Adaptin microton
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name	17 TS
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name	18 TS
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name	19 Tone division
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name	21 Arabic system
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name	22 Arabic system
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name	23 AF
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name	24 Sax FC legend
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name	20 Tone division etichetta
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name	50 Tabella
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name	51 Aproach of various musicians
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name	74 practical outcome
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name	56 Final considerations
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name	77 Final reflect
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name	60 Accorgimenti
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name	64 materials
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name	65 classical mouth position
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name	66 jazz mouth position
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name	68 finger position
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name	78 Reference list
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