Religious music

While style and genre vary broadly across traditions, religious groups still share a variety of musical practices and techniques.

Religions such as Islam, Judaism, and Sinism demonstrate this, splitting off into different forms and styles of music that depend on varying religious practices.

Buddhist chanting is a form of musical verse or incantation, which is similar to religious recitations of other faiths.

Buddhist chanting is the traditional means of preparing the mind for meditation, especially as part of formal practice (in either a lay or monastic context).

Eventually, these songs were compiled into books called "hymnals", from which pastors and congregants would read during Christian services – a practice that continues in many churches today.

Prior to the eighteenth century, Christian hymnals were published as standalone texts without accompanying musical scores.

Each form is used for different purposes as one may be for prayers and complete focus towards Allah (God) and while the other is entertainment, however still including that religious aspect.

In Islam, the implication of prayer, and in this case the Salah, is for ritual since it is believed to be the direct word of God that shall be performed as a collective, as well as individually.

[1] Sufism, Islam's mystical dimension, advocates peace, tolerance, and pluralism, as well as music as a means of improving one's relationship with God.

It later spread throughout the world and reached various literatures including Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Turkish, Seraiki and more.

As a result, the three-quarter tone, which was first used in Islamic music in the ninth or tenth centuries, coexists with bigger and smaller intervals.

Musicians have a keen sensitivity to pitch variations, often altering even the perfect consonances, the fourth and fifth, somewhat.

[23] The Muslim conquest of Spain and Portugal, as well as the Crusades to the Middle East, introduced Europeans to Arabic theoretical works and thriving Islamic art music.

There are parallels between India's and the Middle East's modal systems, as well as some cosmological and ethical ideas of music.

Its influence spreads across the globe, originating in the Middle East, where music principles differ from those of the Western world, emphasizing rhythmic development over harmony.

[32] Mizrahi music demonstrates many Arabic elements, showcasing instruments such as the oud, kanun, and the darbuka.

Drumming would commonly take place during a reasoning session, the gathering of Rastafarians to chant, pray, and sing in the home of a Rasta or a community center.

Majority of slaves not having religious belief, coincidentally Rastafarians having no music led to the integration of the groups.

[35] The global spread of the Rastafarian movement has been significantly facilitated by reggae music, attracting a diverse following worldwide.

This has been especially resonant among communities experiencing social and economic hardships, providing them with a source of identity, pride, and resistance against perceived oppressive systems.

Marley expressing his opinions on political matters, justice, and peace, increased awareness of the unique beliefs of Rastafari.

North Americans were able to identify distinctive features of Rastafarians such as dreadlocks, manner of speaking, and the consumption of marijuana.

Marley remains an essential figure within Rastafarian music, and Nyabinghi drums continue to be played at his museum.

[38] All the Sikh Gurus sang in the then-prevalent classical and folk music styles, accompanied by stringed and percussion instruments.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is composed with different raags to match the shabads and teachings of the Sikh Gurus and various holy people.

[40] The Gurus also created numerous musical instruments including the Dilruba, the Sarangi, the Esraj and the Jori.

In the court of Guru Arjun Dev Ji there were two musicians, Sata and Balwand, who decided to create a new instrument by splitting the Mardang in half.

[46] Sinawi is a form of Korean improvisational ensemble music believed to evolve from the Jeolla province in southwestern Korea.

[47] Throughout the ritual, the dramatic performances or gut nori (굿 노리) are accompanied by music, song, and dance.

[50] Taoist music can be found in every ceremonial occasion, including "Five Offerings" and the "Ode of Wishing for Longevity.