The underlying harmonic structure of the musical scales, or "maqams," of the Arabic music of the Indigenous Middle East is revealed to be at one with "Just Intonation" and the Perfect Harmony of the universal laws of physics. A Few of Many Reviews "Already your book has opened my mind to a totally different way of listening to intervals and harmonic relationships..." "Man, what a book! It is simply the best!! Something like this, so badly needed, should be available in every single music shop in the land." - Giorgio Thanks for coming out with such a nice book, and recordings of the Maqam! I can right now maybe start singing along with the Maqam tunes for practice even if I don't have an instrument yet, as I really want to learn it. Neither a Oud, or a Tanbur, Saz or even a Ney is not available here in Mumbai or in India. Can't wait for a single day to get started! -R Kazn Young Fascinating book. May 12, 2013 This book is a very comprehensive study on "Just Intonation" and it's role in the music of the Middle East in particular, although other types of world music are given scant mention. I personally had a bit of trouble understanding the concept of "musical ratios", so to speak, and how the math & musical physics of that all works out on a fundamental level until reading the first few chapters of the book. It really helped clear up a lot of confusion on my part, and also supplies much more additional information that I haven't yet encountered. If you aren't familiar with "Just Intonation" or the flaws of equal temperament, I suggest doing some research, especially if you are a musician. I have been playing music for over 10 years and am just now realizing that most musicians, myself included, have really been compromising the integrity of the harmony of the music we play by playing in what is called "Equal Temperament". Virtually all of the notes we play on a piano or guitar or whatever are out of tune. There are other tuning systems based on the harmonic overtone series, and "pure" ratios based on whole numbers, and that's about half of what is in this book. It's a real eye opener. The other half of the book is about the Maqamat, which are Middle Eastern musical scales. I have been fascinated by Middle Eastern sounding music since I began playing music, basically, so I find this kind of thing to be very valuable. If you are interested in Middle Eastern Music, or play the oud, saz, ney, rebab, sitar, sarod (yes, this stuff applies to Hindustani Music as well), or any fretless instrument, then this may be your cup of tea. It's very well written. -Anonymous Artist Just Intonation September 6, 2011 Most of us have been brought up in the musical world with equal temperament in our musical scales. However, equal temperament is an approximation of convenience from the more pure sounding of just intonation. Cameron explains all of this very nicely. Tthe bulk of the book's writing is focused on the mid eastern Oud which is played in just intonation. All Oud players would find the book interesting. -Nohj Oknorp Harmonic Secrets of Arabic Music and Arabic Musical Scales have become my bible. End of story. Simply outstanding. -Giorgio Used Book in Good Condition