Jewish music is one of the most diverse art form that there is today. It dates back centuries and can be of various type both religious and non religious. The sound and the rhythm of the Jewish music will depend greatly on the composer and the region that the music comes from. It also depends greatly on the kind of music it is. For e.g. Jewish prayer music will sound very different from secular music.
The History
Jewish prayer music dates back to the Temple of Jerusalem. The Mishna tells us that the orchestra at the Temple consisted of a group of 12 instruments and 12 singers who were male.
When the Temple was destroyed Jewish music in synagogues was banned. When this ban was lifted later, religious music started making a comeback in a more definite and structured manner.
The Contemporary Side
Jewish prayer music has a new face in the 20th century. To begin with the Jewish music now holds a great deal of variety. All of this is obviously due to the vast differences in the people composing the music. Sounds vary from the folk songs that are feminist to sounds from the composer Daniel Ben Shalom. There have also been composers who have spent a good deal of the last century turning oral traditions into paper.
Piyyut
A piyyut is nor really Jewish music. It is more of a Jewish prayer in the form of a liturgical poem. It can be chanted, sung or recited during service. The general language that a Piyyut is written in is Aramaic or Hebrew and they have been around since the time of the Mishna. Some of the better known piyyutim are Adon Olam which translates into Master of the World and Yigdal which means May God be Hallowed.
Zemirot
These are mainly Jewish prayer hymns and are either in Aramaic, Hebrew, Ladino or Yiddish. The best known in this category of Jewish music are the ones that are sung during Jewish holidays and the Sabbath. The Jewish prayer Zemirot can also be specific to a time of the day and some of these are included at the back of prayer books. Sometimes Zemirot can also reflect the words of a Rabbi or a sage from ancient times.
Nigun
Nigun is Jewish music that is sung in groups. This form of singing is almost like instrumental music that is created with vocal sounds. Most often a Nigun does not have any words. Since a Nigun is also a form of Jewish prayer, it can also be sung with the reciting and repetition of a Biblical verse or classic Jewish text in the style of a Nigun.
Pizmonim
Pizamonim is Jewish music that is traditional and it comprises of melodies and songs. This form of Jewish prayer is sung in the praise of God. The Pizmonim is an integral part of all services that take place for festivities like weddings, bar mitzvahs etc. The Pizmonim is generally Jewish music linked to the Sephardic Jews of the Middle East.
Baqashot
The Baqashot is best described as a collection of Jewish music that is comprised of prayers, songs and supplications. This form of Jewish prayer has been around for centuries and is used by certain Jewish communities every Sabbath. These prayers and songs are usually said during winter when the night becomes longer.