Music
Middle Eastern music has many genres, from classical to pop. Middle Eastern music tends to have strong melodies and complex rhythms. Middle Eastern vocalists usually sing with a nasal quality, as opposed to Western singers who tend to strive for more of a chest quality.
Middle Eastern music combines use of modern Western instruments with classic instruments unique to the region. For example, many Middle Eastern songs use an oud, which is a wooden string instrument thought to be the inspiration for the European lute. Song lyrics cover a range of topics, from religion to romance.