The Online Afghan Rubab Tutor is an online portal developed by Professor Evangelos Himonides, on behalf of Professor John Baily and the Afghanistan Music Unit at Goldsmiths University of London.
The rubab has a special connection with the Pashto speaking population of Afghanistan and embodies certain features of Pashtun regional music. Its unique acoustical properties are suitable for a fast percussive style of playing, with emphasis on permutations of right hand stroke patterns and dramatic rhythmic cadences. The layout of notes on the fingerboard of the rubab suggests a tonal organization that is given concrete expression in the three main melodic modes of Pashtun music: Bairami, Kesturi and Pari. The rubab is thus the 'ideal' Pashtun instrument.
We are very proud to continue to work effortlessly in preserving a part of Afghan musical cultural heritage, during these dark times where the arts and particularly music face a complete ban under the current regime.
