Music of Saudi Arabia

Ardah#

Ardah, a type of folkloric dance, is the most popular dance in Saudi Arabia, and also the national dance. It is performed with two rows of men opposite of one another, each of whom may or may not be wielding a sword or cane, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry. Najdi ardah is the most common variant of ardah in Saudi Arabia. It is also the most practiced and highly televised male folkloric dance in the entire country. The Saudi government changed its name to ‘Saudi ardah’ in the 21st century. However, there are numerous variations of ardah distinct from Najdi ardah throughout the country, notably in the regions of Najran, Asir and Jizan.

Rock/metal music#

Rock and metal artists from Saudi Arabia include The AccoLade and Al-Namrood.

Music institutions#

Pursuant to the order of the Saudi Crown Prince, the first music teaching institute was established in Riyadh in 2019. The Institute was launched by the Egyptian violinist Mahmoud Sorour. Sorour plans to train around 50 violinists to enable them to perform in Jeddah opera house that is planned to be launched in 2022.

See also#

• Arabic music
• Arabic pop music
• The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir

Sources#

• Urkevich, Lisa (2015). Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. New York: Routledge
• Badley, Bill (2000). “Sounds of the Arabian Peninsula”. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 351–354. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books.

External links#

• Saudi Music Examples
• Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar by L. Urkevich. New York: Routledge, 2015.
• Audio clip: traditional Saudi Arabian music. Musée d’ethnographie de Genève. Accessed November 25, 2010.
• Saudi Arabia Rock and Metal Society.