Layali

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Layālī (ليالي) is a style of unmetered modal improvisation, based on a maqam, performed by a singing voice in Arabic music. It is similar to the taqsim, which is performed by a solo instrument.

The layali generally serves as an introduction to a mawwâl. In the layali, the singer most often improvises using the common Arabic phrase "Yā 'Aīn Yā Lail" (يا عين يا ليل), which means "Oh eye, Oh night."

The term layālī is the plural form of the word lail (ليل, meaning "night").