Senior Recital

Nylon String Guitar – From Spain’s classical tradition, using nylon strings for a warm tone. Played fingerstyle or with rhythmic strumming (rasgueado), it’s central to flamenco, Latin American, and Mediterranean folk. Its softer attack makes it ideal for intricate accompaniment and expressive solo playing.

Ney – An ancient Middle Eastern reed flute, central to Turkish, Persian, and Arabic folk and Sufi traditions. Its breathy tone conveys emotional depth and spiritual intensity.

Fender Bass – The electric bass guitar (notably Precision/Jazz models) revolutionized rhythm sections and is widely used in modern folk and country. It provides consistent, amplified low-end in larger venues.

Oud – A fretless Middle Eastern lute allowing microtones, foundational in Arabic, Turkish, and North African folk. It often leads ensembles with improvised introductions (taqsim).

Darbuka – A goblet drum from the Middle East/North Africa, played with finger techniques for sharp and resonant tones. It excels in rapid, intricate rhythms.

Daf – A large frame drum used in Persian, Kurdish, and Middle Eastern folk and spiritual music. Its ringing overtones create a trance-like atmosphere.

Riq – A Middle Eastern tambourine with jingles and pitch control, used in Arabic ensembles. Skilled players achieve highly nuanced rhythmic expression.

Tambourine – A global frame drum with jingles, used in European, Middle Eastern, and American folk. It can function as both rhythm and accent instrument.