From: deniz@mandolin.ctr.columbia.edu (Deniz Akkus)
Subject: Styles in Turkish Music -- some common names and their differences
Organization: Columbia University Center for Telecommunications Research
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 04:35:09 GMT
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Two major divisions:

1. Vocal
2. Instrumental

VOCAL forms:

Also two divisions:
1. Religious (dini) music
2. Non-religious (la-dini) music

RELIGIOUS VOCAL MUSIC:

1. Ayin -- mevlevi -- This is the form used by the Mevlevi (whirling
dervishes) as another form of worship aside from the proscribed Islamic
prayers.  The music used in their dances is referred to as ayin and has
4 sections.  Each section is called a selam.  For each section, there is
a style that would be chosen.  Below is the usul or style for each selam.

	1. Selam -- Devr-i Revan or Duyek or Agir Duyek is played.  
	2. Selam -- Agir Evfer -- mevlevi evferi
	3. Selam -- Mostly Devr-i Kebir, sometimes Agir Duyek or
Frenkcin, rarely Evsat or Cifte Duyek.  After this section, an
instrumental piece of the style Aksak Semai is played.  Then the Gazel
by Ahmet Eflaki Dede that begins with 'Ey ki hezar aferin bu nice sultan
olur' which has been put to music after the style Yuruk Semai is played.
Rarely, another poem is substituted.
	4. Selam -- Agir Evfer

After the 4 selams, most commonly a Son Pisrev, followed by a Yuruk
Semai is played, completing the ayin.  After the ayin, there is an
instrumental improvisation, usually on the ney (a type of flute) and the
ceremony continues with Kuran (Koran), Dua (Prayer) and Gulbank.  

2. Na't.  This is also used by the whirling dervishes.  The subject
matter of the lyrics is adoration for God or for the Prophet Mohammed.
The style is usually a 'kaside' in Turkish, ARabic or Persian, put to
music in the style of Durak Evferi or Turki Zarb.  

3. Durak -- a style used in setting to music poems (kaside) that have
teh subject of adoration for God.  The style used is Durak Evferi

4. Mi'raciye -- This is a piece composed by Kutb'un Nayi Osman Dede.
The lyrics talk of Mohammad's going to Mirac -- going to sky and
paradise.  

5.  Ilahi -- Usually poems composed with teh syllabic meter set to
music.  

6. Sugul -- Arabic Ilahi's.

7. Nefes -- poems written by the Bektasi in the syllabic meter, to be
used in Bektasi ceremonies.

8. Tevshih -- sung during Mevlits.  The lyrics talk of adoration for God
and the Prophet.  

9. Ezan -- call to prayer -- I was surprised to hear that there are
different kinds of ezan styles.

10. Tekbir -- this is by Itri in the makam of Segah.  It is in Arabic
and the subject is the adoration of God.

11. Temcid -- a style used in singing from the minarets close to dawn on
holy days. It is in Arabic lyrics.

12. Tesbih -- it is a temcid, but used instead in the mosque, on holy
days, during the ceremony of tesbih (prayer beads).

13. Mahfel surmesi -- same as tesbih.

14. Salat and selam -- the subject matter is the goodwill of God towards
Mohammed and the lyrics are in Arabic.

15. Munacaat -- Begging to God for forgiveness in Arabic or Turkish

16. Mevlid -- this is a piece written by Suleyman Celebi, its subject is
Mohammad as the prophet and the greatness of God.  In between its
sections, other smaller religious works are sung by tradition.

Next -- non-religious vocal forms.

regards,
Deniz Akkus deniz@ctr.columbia.edu

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