UZBEK MAQAM TRADITIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN MODERN PIANO PEDAGOGY AND PERFORMANCE PRACTICE

Abstract

This paper explores the role of Uzbek maqam traditions-an integral part of the national musical heritage-and their significance in modern piano pedagogy and performance. The study examines the modal structure of maqam, its rhythmic and melodic characteristics, and the challenges associated with interpreting Eastern micro- intonational systems on the equal-tempered piano. Special attention is given to the pedagogical frameworks that enable the stylistic appropriation of maqam through piano techniques such as articulation, legato, pedaling, and ornamentation. Furthermore, the article analyzes the work of contemporary Uzbek composers whose piano compositions incorporate maqam aesthetics, creating new interpretative approaches that unify national and Western musical paradigms. The research argues that the integration of maqam into piano performance and teaching revitalizes national identity, promotes improvisational thinking, and fosters a deeper understanding of cross- cultural musical dialogue.