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The Hijaz Scale: All You Need To Know About This Captivating Handpan Scale

A mysterious and spiritual experience in its own right, music played on the Hijaz scale captivates all who hear its otherworldly chords.

The Hijaz is a treasured scale and one of the most spellbinding options available for Handpan musicians, especially those who wish to explore more unconventional forms of playing.

In this article, we shall explore this captivating Handpan scale, from its historical origins to its musical application, and whether it’s the right fit for you on your Handpan journey!

Introduction to the Hijaz Scale

While perhaps less famous in name than its sister, the D Kurd, there is a very good chance that you have heard a piece of music written and performed in the Hijaz scale, without even realizing it.

Deeply rooted in Middle-Eastern musical traditions, this scale often finds its way into the soundtrack of famous feature-films, such as The Lord of the Rings, adding a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere to the movie’s narrative.

The Hijaz scale, as a maqam in classical Arabic music, also carries with it great spiritual significance that is often used in calls to prayer in Islamic traditions.

With melodies that can be uplifting and ethereal at times, but also playful and sensuous at others, the progression of these notes will take you on an evocative journey of sound, conjuring visions of vast landscapes, timeless deserts, and ancient wonders.

Name and Origins of the Hijaz Scale

With its musical origins in classical Arabic music, the Hijaz scale and its variations can be heard all across the Middle-East and its surrounding regions, from North Africa to Persia, in Egypt and even as far as Turkey.

The Hijaz scale shares its name with the historical west-coast of the Saudi Arabian region, and is named directly after the Hijaz Maqam, a melodic framework within classical Arabic music which is deeply embedded in Middle-Eastern musical history and tradition.

The Maqam system of Arabic music is a complex set of rules and guidelines on how melodies should be composed and played, which places strong emphasis on the unique emotional character of each piece.

And just like the traditional systems after which it is named after, the Hijaz scale captures the same emotional depth and nuance that many Handpan players aim for in their own musical explorations.

Musical Characteristics of the Hijaz Scale

The Hijaz scale is a captivating choice for Handpan players. Renowned for its otherworldly sound, its distinct blend of minor and augmented intervals creates a dramatic landscape for Handpan musicians who wish to experiment with its unique musical properties.

In the hands of a skilled Handpan-player, this scale’s unique musical qualities offer a wide range of emotional tones, making it ideal for those seeking depth in their musical explorations, compositions, and improvisations.

The Hijaz and its Adaptation to Western Musical Conventions

To better understand the Hijaz scale’s unique sound, it’s helpful for us to compare it to its most similar scale in Western music. The closest Western counterpart to the Hijaz scale would be the Phrygian Dominant, otherwise known as the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale, but with a very important distinction.

In traditional Middle Eastern music, the notes in a Hijaz scale would not be “A” but rather, a microtonal step that sits somewhere between Ab and A Natural. This microtonal interval, which is inherent in the traditional maqamat within Arabic systems of music, does not exist in the Western diatonic scale on which the Handpan is based.

Because of this, it is important to note that the the Hijaz scale’s tuning on a Handpan is essentially a modern-day adaptation or interpretation of the traditional Arabic scale that aligns more closely with Western musical intervals.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at how the Hijaz scale is arranged on a Handpan.

Handpan Layout of the Hijaz Scale

Handpans in the Hijaz scale come in either 9-note, 10-note or less commonly, 12-note configurations.

A common tuning for Hijaz Handpans is with the central note, or Ding, being “D”, as illustrated on these diagrams.

In the diagrams below, the sequence of notes, in ascending order of the scale, is overlaid on the image of the Handpan on the left, while the names of each note are presented in Tablature format on the right.

9-Note D Hijaz Handpan

(D) | A | C | D | Eb | F# | G | A | C |

10-Note D Hijaz Handpan

(D) | A | C | D | Eb | F# | G | A | C | D |

12-Note D Hijaz Handpan

(D) | A | C | D | Eb | F# | G | A | C | D | F | G |

Hijaz Handpan Playing Techniques

The Hijaz scale blends melodic and harmonic tension, ideal for dramatic or emotional music composition. Although this useful when a musician uses the dissonance to build tension, this will require greater mindfulness and careful thought for beginner Handpan players.

Although it is possible to take a more intuitive approach when playing the Hijaz Scale, one must be mindful that some notes can create harsh dissonances if played in succession or if struck together at the same time, such as the intervals “A3” to “C4”, and “Eb4” to “F#4”.

Unlike the D Kurd scale,
the dissonant harmonics that are present in some of these intervals can be difficult to manage if one isn’t careful with how they play the instrument.

Although it is possible to play a Hijaz Handpan percussively in a rhythmic playing-style, it is best to use gentle and controlled strikes with careful note selection, since striking the handpan randomly can create harsh and clashing harmonics in the sustain.

If a beginner wishes to take up this scale, they should start their practice with slow, deliberate scales to internalize the harmonic relationships between each note. Beginner musicians should gradually add complex rhythms and accents as they become more familiar with this scale, especially with the unique tension that exists between some of these intervals.

Watch these demos of the Hijaz scale being played on a 9-note, 10-note and 12-note handpan:

9-Note Hijaz Handpan

10-Note Hijaz Handpan

12-Note Hijaz Handpan

Hijaz Scale and its Emotive Qualities

“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart”

– Pablo Casals

Like the sacred melodies of Middle Eastern music, the Hijaz scale often invokes a sense of spirituality and reverence, with dissonant intervals that can feel heavy and dramatic.

For those who play the Handpan for meditative and holistic purposes, the musical tones produced in this scale would help deepen their practice, and perhaps even help them connect with something deeper within themselves.

Of course, the Hijaz scale also has a playful side. When played skilfully with energy and flair, the tension and release of notes in the Hijaz scale create a strong sense of dance and movement. In contrast to the more serious aspects of the Hijaz, the motion and fluidity of this scale can also bring a sense of excitement to a composition.

This dichotomy makes the Hijaz scale a truly versatile tool for musical expression, providing Handpan musicians the chance to explore a more solemn and spiritual sound, while also giving room for lively expressions of energy and joy.

Is the Hijaz Handpan right for me?

With an ethereal and otherworldly sound, as well as a rich musical history behind it, the Hijaz scale offers Handpan players the chance to go deep within their musical explorations, and experiment with unique and captivating tones.

While it may be a bit more challenging for beginners due to the steeper learning curve when exploring complex intervals, the Hijaz would be an excellent choice for musicians who want to experiment with tension and release in their compositions or improvisations.

Ultimately, while the Hijaz scale requires patience, diligence and mindfulness to gain a strong musical command over its sound, it offers an incredible depth of emotional expression that are rivalled by few other handpan scales.

The Hijaz scale will undoubtedly be deeply rewarding for more experienced Handpan musicians, as well as beginners who wish to pursue it with the right determination and dedication.

To Conclude

With a sound that is reverent and inspiring, the Hijaz scale is more than just a set of notes. It carries within it a rich musical heritage and a tool for profound musical expression.

Whether you’re drawn to its spiritual, meditative qualities or its dynamic and playful energy, the Hijaz scale offers something for every Handpan musician. Although it can offer a challenge to players due to its depth and complexity, the rewards are just as great, whether you’re a seasoned Handpan player or an eager beginner.

Explore our range of handpans here, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have!

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