TAQSIM

by Dr. Raja Zulkarnain Before my entry into the gambus scene in 2002, most Malaysian gambus players followed two primary tuning systems—the standard Arabic " Do " system and a localized adaptation used by ghazal gambus players in Johor, where all strings were detuned by a half step. According to Zaidan Attan, a gambus player from Batu Pahat, Johor, and an informal student of mine, this practice was passed down orally from senior gambus players in Johor. The adjustment was made to facilitate the playing of ghazal songs, which relied heavily on open-string notes. Since ghazal compositions often centered around B-flat , lowering the tuning allowed open strings to naturally align with the key, minimizing the need for fingered notes and enabling smoother transitions. However, beyond these two adaptations, gambus players in Malaysia had little awareness of alternative tuning systems developed elsewhere.      My journey with the oud began in 1999 when I studied directly under...

by Dr. Raja Zulkarnain     “ The Post-Script Project revisits selected key moments and stories—from personal experiences to features in newspapers and magazines—that shaped my journey with the oud (gambus) from 2003 to 2024. Each reflection offers fresh insights, connecting past experiences to the present while exploring the oud’s cultural and personal significance. ” In 2013, I published a book titled Oud Warisan Seni Dari Timur Tengah, which aimed to clarify a long-standing misconception in Malaysia and the wider Nusantara region. For years, the terms gambus and oud were used interchangeably, despite the fact that these are two distinct instruments with different histories, physical characteristics, and playing techniques. This confusion had persisted for generations, embedded in local musical traditions and cultural narratives. Having spent nearly a decade researching the subject, I felt a strong need to present a more accurate perspective on the instrument’s identity. ...

by Dr. Raja Zulkarnain     “ The Post-Script Project revisits selected key moments and stories—from personal experiences to features in newspapers and magazines—that shaped my journey with the oud (gambus) from 2003 to 2024. Each reflection offers fresh insights, connecting past experiences to the present while exploring the oud’s cultural and personal significance. ” In this Post-Script #6, we revisit the article from Berita Harian (April 1, 2014), which highlighted the pioneering implementation of APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) in Malaysia. The article captured a historic moment—one where I, alongside other trailblazers, received the APEL certification from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), presented by the Minister of Higher Education. It was a pivotal recognition of professional experience as a legitimate qualification for academic advancement. But what the article didn’t capture was the long-term strategy behind my participation in this initi...