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Music in KSA

 
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jaytron



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 7
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:01 am    Post subject: Music in KSA Reply with quote
This may be an odd question, but would I have any problems bringing an acoustic guitar into to Saudi? I have heard that music is frowned upon in the kingdom, but a Saudi friend of mine laughed at me when I mentioned this. Also, is there a form of traditional music practiced in KSA? If so what are the chances of a westerner getting involved with this? Just looking for ways to pass some time between classes in what sounds like an incredibly happening country Razz
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can take yours... or buy one there. Can't help you with traditional music opportunities. Laughing

Supplementing your income by playing on street corners is likely not a good idea though...

VS
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sheikh yer money-maker



Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 79
Location: Saudi Arabia
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
...in what sounds like an incredibly happening country


Yeah, amble down to any of the main mosques on any given Friday just about noon prayer time and check out the "happenings'. Rolling Eyes
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2buckets



Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Middle East
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
"Yeah, amble down to any of the main mosques on any given Friday just about noon prayer time and check out the "happenings'."

And after the prayers, catch up on the local beheadiings.
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Geronimo



Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 498
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
"Oh, the times, they are a-changing..."

Check out... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_AccoLade_(band) and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Saudi_Arabia

The larger malls in Riyadh and Dhahran have music stores selling guitars, jaytron.
I suggest that you have a word with the staff in one or two of those stores. Maybe they�ll be able to put you in touch with other locally based musicians. There are a few inform get-togethers and occasional live gigs on expat compounds.

Does anyone in Dhahran remember the "Irish band", "Shamrock" -
so named because it didn�t have any Irish members. Smile

Geronimo
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zippy2k



Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 42
Location: Riyadh
PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I saw this Arabic music ensemble play a few weeks ago in the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh :

http://www.alkindi.org/anglais/home_us.htm

They may be able to help you re:getting involved with trad Arabic music as a westerner. I have brought my guitar into the kingdom(with no problems) along with many others I know and play sessions with other musicians but they are all westerners. There are music shops in the KSA but many do frown on music. In Riyadh at least outside of the DQ I haven't found any live music venues...
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2buckets



Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Middle East
PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
One of my matawah students told me that if you listen to music, you will go to hell, and the devil will pour molten lead into your ears. Owwie, that hurts.

So you better beware!
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posh



Joined: 22 Oct 2010
Posts: 430
PostPosted: Wed May 04, 2011 10:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
There's a mosque right by my apartment. The mullah's 'incantations' vary between a) sounding half-drunk b) about to fall asleep b) on the verge of suicide. Every now and then he obviously has a day off and a new guy comes along who is pretty much singing. Whenever they chirp up I stick on Led Zep full blast.

I've also had people tell me it's "the noise of the devil" and so I tell them to listen to Beethoven's 5th and get back to me.
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Grendal



Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Posts: 861
Location: Lurking in the depths of the Faisaliah Tower underground parking.
PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2011 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
2buckets wrote:
One of my matawah students told me that if you listen to music, you will go to hell, and the devil will pour molten lead into your ears. Owwie, that hurts.

So you better beware!


Why Hell's Bell's? How the heck are we going to hears the bells of Hell if our ears are full of molten lead. Or the dogs of doom, which howl low. I listen to music in my car, at home and on my earphones at school and I have no problem listening to Metalica in the teachers parking lot (and Justice for All).

Grendal

ps. if you see me in hell you may have to speak up because of the MOLTEN LEAD IN MY EARS!!!!!
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
PostPosted: Sat May 07, 2011 12:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Dear Grendal,

Huh??? Say again.

Regards,
John

P.S. Get the lead out, amigo.
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