تقسيم حجاز كار - منير بشير Taqsim Hijaz Kar - Munir Bashir

The late Iraqi 'ud player Munir Bashir, whose style is influenced by the artistry of his Turkish trained teacher Sharif Muhyi al-Din Haydar, presents a highly lyrical style which unlike the traditional mainstream of Arab 'ud playing appears seamless, thus avoiding clear cut qaflat and phrase delineations. Many of hhis typically long performances stay in the same maqam and maintain a subdued, meditative mood quite consistently. Listeners sometimes speak of non-Arab influences on his style, including North Indian ragas and jazz. Having performed in various major cities in Asia, Europe and North America, Bashir has created improvisatory works that are intended to evoke specific impressions, for example those of ancient Babylon. Deriving significantly from the Iraqi modal tradition, Bashir's style is also highly ambient. Employing subtle but effective dynamic inflections and a gradual build up in the intensity of picking, his playing is known to demand quiet concentration on the part of the listeners.*

Racy, Ali Jihad. "The Many Faces of Improvisation: The Arab Taqasim as a Musical Symbol." Ethnomusicology 44 (2000): 313.