Turkish Folk Music and Dance

This blog is all about Turkish Folk Music and Dance. From the history and origins of folk music, to modern day interpretations and performances.

Introduction to Turkish Folk Music

Folk music is the music of the people, and it has been an integral part of Turkish life for centuries. It is the music of weddings and funerals, of festivals and holidays, of work and play. It is the music that Turks have used to express their joys and sorrows, their hopes and fears, their love and their pain.

Folk music is not simply entertainment; it is a part of the very fabric of Turkish society. It is an expression of the Turkish people’s identity, and it plays an important role in shaping their sense of community. Folk music is passed down from generation to generation, and it has been constantly evolving over time.

The roots of Turkish folk music can be traced back to the nomadic Turkic peoples who settled in Anatolia (the Asian part of present-day Turkey) more than a thousand years ago. These peoples brought with them their own musical traditions, which they blended with the indigenous music of Anatolia to create a distinctive new style. Over time, this style would come to be known as “Turkish folk music.”

Turkish folk music is often infused with elements of Arabic and Persian music, as well as influences from Central Asian Turkic peoples. This can be heard in the use of certain musical instruments (such as the oud, ney, and spoons) and in the use of certain melodic devices (such as microtones). In recent years, there has also been a growing influence from Western popular music styles (such as rock and rap).

Turkish folk music is typically sung by solo vocalists accompanied by a small ensemble of instruments. The most common instruments are the clarinet (mizmar), violin (kemenche), accordion (saz), ud (a fretless lute), qanun (a zither), ney (a flute), percussion instruments (such as drums and cymbals), and occasionalwind instruments (such as horns).

The melodies of Turkish folk songs are often repetitive and highly ornamented. The lyrics usually deal with topics such as love, nature, religion, or current events. Many folk songs are also adapted from poems or stories that were originally written in Turkish literature.

Turkish folk music has two main regional traditions: one from Istanbul/Marmara region in the west, and one from Ankara/Central Anatolia in the east. There are also several distinct sub-regional traditions within these two main traditions. For example, Istanbul’s districts each have their own unique styles of folk music; similarly, Ankara’s surrounding villages all have slightly different versions of Central Anatolian folk songs.

The Origins of Turkish Folk Music

Turkish folk music has its roots in the music of the Central Asian Turks, who migrated to Anatolia (the Asian part of present-day Turkey) in the 11th century. These Turks brought with them their own rich musical traditions, which have been Arabized and Persianized over the centuries but still retain many of their original characteristics. Turkish folk music is thus a unique blend of Arab, Persian, and Central Asian influences.

The earliest known Turkish folk songs date back to the 13th century, though it is likely that oral traditions were being passed down long before this. In the 16th century, the first printed collection of Turkish folk songs was published, and by the 19th century folk music had become an important part of Turkish culture. Today, Turkish folk music is enjoyed both within Turkey and by Turkic communities around the world.

While there are many different regional styles of Turkish folk music, there are also some common features that are found throughout the tradition. One of these is the use of improvisation; unlike classical Ottoman music, which was highly structured and always followed set rules, folk music allows for a more free-flowing style of composition. Another characteristic feature of Turkish folk music is its use of “microtones” – intervals that are smaller than those typically used in Western music. This gives Turkish music its distinctive “ sliding” sound.

Instrumentation in Turkish folk bands also varies depending on region, but commonly includes instruments such as the zurna (a type of oboe), ney (a type of flute), kanun (a type zither), def (a type of drum), tambur (a type of lute), and bağlama (a type of guitar). The saz is perhaps the most iconic instrument associated with Turkish folk music; it is a long-necked lute with strings that can be plucked or strummed.

Turkish folk songs often make use of wordplay and humor, as well as traces of Sufism (Islamic mysticism). In terms of subject matter, love songs are by far the most common type – indeed, it has been said that “all Turkic peoples sing about love”! Other popular themes include nature, war, and religion.

The Instruments of Turkish Folk Music

The instruments of Turkish folk music are varied, and often reflect the local climate and geography. In the Eastern part of Turkey, for example, the instrumentation is dominated by stringed instruments such as the saz; in the West, wind instruments such as the clarinet are more prevalent.

One of the most important instruments in Turkish folk music is the bağlama, a stringed instrument related to the bouzouki of Greece and the oud of Arabia. The bağlama has a distinctive sound that can be both mellow and haunting, and it is often used to accompany singers. Other important stringed instruments include the kabak kemane (a bow-like instrument), the cümbüş (a type of banjo) and the tambura (a long-necked lute).

Wind instruments are also important in Turkish folk music. These include flutes such as the ney and derya, as well as various types of horns and trumpets. The zurna is a particularly popular wind instrument; it is often used to accompany traditional dances such as the horon.

Percussion instruments are also prominent in Turkish folk music, particularly drums such as the davul and tupan. These drums provide a constant rhythm that helps to keep dancers moving in time. Cymbals such as the çeng are also sometimes used to add extra punctuation to the music.

The Styles of Turkish Folk Music

Turkish folk music is a tradition of music that developed in the rural parts of Turkey. It is often sung in Turkish, but can also be in other languages. The instruments used include the ney, bağlama, and def. There are many different types of Turkish folk music, which can be divided into two main categories: the music of Central Anatolia and the music of Eastern Anatolia.

The music of Central Anatolia is characterised by its use of long, complex melodies, often played on the bağlama. This type of music is usually for dancing, and includes a wide range of styles such as the horon (a fast dance from Black Sea region), the kasap havası (a dance from Central Anatolia), and the zeybek (a dance from Aegean region).

The music of Eastern Anatolia is generally more relaxed, and often uses shorter melodies. It is typically played on the ney, a type of flute, and includes genres such as theOSTERREICHERatler tanbur (a type of lute) and karsilamas (a type of slow dance).

The Dance of Turkish Folk Music

Turkish folk music and dance has a long and rich history. The two genres are closely intertwined, with both traditional songs and dances being passed down from generation to generation.

Turkish folk music is usually performed by small ensembles of folk musicians. These groups typically consist of a lead singer, who is accompanied by one or two instrumentalists playing traditional Turkish instruments such as the bağlama (a type of lute) or the darbuka (a type of drum). The music is often characterized by its use of rhythm and melody, as well as its poetic lyrics.

Turkish folk dances are usually performed by groups of dancers, who follow a leader in a circle or line formation. The dances are often quite lively, and feature a lot of movement, including spins, turns, and stamping of the feet. Many of the dances also involve the use of props such as scarves or handkerchiefs.

The Lyrics of Turkish Folk Music

Turkish folk music has a long tradition of oral transmission. The lyrics of folk songs often deal with daily life, love and religion. Many folk songs are about the Bendevi, the Turkish folkloric hero. Other topics include nature, history and the troubles of modern life. The lyrics are usually in Turkish, but some songs are in Kurdish or other languages spoken in Turkey.

The Structure of Turkish Folk Music

Turkish folk music is the music of the Turkic peoples, developed from a number of traditions and including music from Turkic countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Turkish folk music is often divided into two distinct categories: Music of Central Turkey and Music of Anatolia.

The first type includes folk songs that were created by the Turkic people who migrated to Central Turkey from the 10th to 13th centuries. These songs were originally written in Arabic script and were meant to be sung at religious ceremonies or as entertainment at Turkish baths. The second type of Turkish folk music is associated with the people of Anatolia and is believed to have originated in the 11th century. This type of music is typically more upbeat and features instruments such as the def (a hand-held drum), zurna (a woodwind instrument), kemenche (a string instrument), and saz (a lute-like instrument).

The Influence of Turkish Folk Music

Turkish folk music has undergone a profound transformation in the last century. The original music was simple and based on the pentatonic scale, with a limited range of instruments. In the early 20th century, artists began to experiment with Western music, incorporating complex harmonies and new instruments into their compositions. This trend continued throughout the century, as Turkish folk music evolved into a rich and nuanced art form.

Today, Turkish folk music is still deeply rooted in tradition, but it also incorporates elements of Western music and popular culture. This mix of influences results in a truly unique sound that is beloved by people all over the world.