“Music is a pill for everything”
- Music
Meet Mustafa Memtimin, a talented master's student who combines his love for percussion and drums with the cultural influences of his hometown in Xinjiang. Currently pursuing the master's course in Jazz & Pop in Zwolle, Mustafa's musical journey extends beyond drumming as he explores his Uyghur heritage. His graduation project is an ambitious artistic performance that intertwines dance movements, singing, and the intricate Muqam rhythms, with an unexpected twist added to the mix.
For his finals research, Mustafa delved into different rhythms employed in Muqam music, a musical tradition deeply rooted in Uyghur culture. Muqam music is characterised by its complex rhythms and melodies, combining vocal and instrumental performances. This traditional form of music commonly employs Uyghur musical instruments like the dutar (a two-stringed lute), the rawap (a plucked string instrument), the dap (a frame drum), and the satar (a long-necked bowed instrument).
For his graduation, Mustafa decided to take a unique approach to Uyghur rhythms by presenting them on a drumset instead of the dap. “It’s really exciting to graduate with something that’s so directly tied to my cultural heritage,” Mustafa explains. “I come from a family of musicians and I want to bring all of their influences to my graduation project!”
The lecturers are your friend
It’s really exciting to graduate with something that’s so directly tied to my cultural heritage"
The same difference is noticeable in the way music is played. “I knew what improvisation was, of course. But over here there’s more freedom to actually use it on stage. It’s even encouraged. Music is a universal language, but the approach can differ from culture to culture.” He ponders this, then continues: “Music is a pill for everything. When you feel sad, you listen to music. When you feel happy, you listen to music. It always works.”
Know what you want
Mustafa advises potential students of the Master to think about what they really want. “Make sure you know what type of music you want to play. It’s really hard to transition later on. I mean, I was able to transition from classical percussionist to drummer, but it was really hard. But on the other hand: it felt great finding that out. I’m even in a band now — we play pop music, Gypsy Kings, that kind of stuff!"
More about the master's course Jazz & Pop Zwolle
Develop your own vision, sound and style as a professional music performer and curator with the two-year English-language Master Jazz & Pop in Zwolle. Being a successful musician nowadays means more than having talent and knowing your instrument: the field is constantly evolving, and old stories require new deliverance.
Learn more about this master's course in Music
