Islamic music preferences of UiTM Faculty of Music students / Saiful Hazman Mohammad Hatta

This study examined degree music major student preference for Islamic music. Several factors were examined to assess their effect on music preference including familiarity and musical characteristics. Study participants included 30 degree students in Faculty of Music, UiTM from all department. 3 music excerpts which is Qasidah/Nasheed, Qawwali and Sufism Music were used as examples of different Islamic music. Knowing about students' familiarity and preference for Islamic music may help in understanding the ingredients of its inclusion in modern Islamic music composition. Participants listened to 3 types Islamic music musical excerpts and completed the IMFPT questionnaire. Results indicated that participants were most familiar with Qasidah/Nasheed music. Significant positive relationships were found between preference and familiarity, within preference ratings, and within familiarity ratings. The elements of Singing style, Instrumentation and Rhythmic pattern were used to indicate which elements that contribute most of the listeners familiarity to the Islamic music. Participants' background seems to have no significant relationship with either familiarity or preference.