Afrâh ash-Shabâb (The Joys of Youth)

(Starts at 0:16)

Sheet Music PDF: Click Here

Arpeggio / Chords: The tonic (C) chord is often broken/arpeggiated (ex. measure 13, 18, 20, so on)

Modulation: (1:25-End)
-1:25 - C Major (ms. 46)
-1:33 - pivot to Eb Major (ms. 54, using a melodic half step from G to Ab)
-1:51 - C Minor, the relative minor of Eb Major (ms. 62)
-2:09 - Brief conclusion in C Major (ms. 71, parallel major modulation)

Ornamentation / Tremolo: Featured in another recorded performance on the Qanun: https://youtu.be/ZVpq3zGeEvo?si=Gydg9cVMRK1hsrFa&t=9 

Rhythmic Pattern: ti tiri (eighth + two sixteenths)

Rondo Form:
Intro - ms. 1
A - ms. 10
B - ms. 18
A - ms. 28
C - ms. 36
A - ms. 46
D - ms. 54
A - ms. 71

Suggested Activities:

To reinforce the understanding of Rondo form, ask students to compose, orchestrate, and perform a rhythmic accompaniment with the piece. Using available classroom percussion instruments, ask students to listen to each section and select an accompanying instrument or group of instruments for each one. Students can then compose and perform a rhythmic ostinato for each of the A, B and C sections. Students can choose to mimic the rhythmic patterns in the video or compose their own!