The Beauty of Persian Folk Music: An Instrumental Playlist

Persian folk music is some of the most beautiful and soulful music in the world. In this playlist, we’ve collected some of the best instrumental pieces to give you a taste of what this incredible genre has to offer.

Introduction

Persian folk music is a rich and varied tradition that has been passed down through the generations. From the joyful and upbeat music of the Zoroastrian priests to the haunting and melancholic melodies of the Sufis, Persian folk music is a reflection of the country’s diverse culture and history.

This playlist showcases some of the best instrumental pieces from Persian folk music, featuring a range of different instruments and styles. Whether you’re looking for something to relax to or wanting to explore Persian culture, this playlist is sure to have something for everyone.

The instruments used in Persian folk music

The instruments used in Persian folk music are as varied as the people who play them. From the traditional stringed instruments like the tar and setar, to the more modern keyboards and drums, there is an instrument for every taste.

One of the most popular instruments in Persian folk music is the tar. The tar is a stringed instrument that is played with a pick. It has a long neck and can be tuned to different pitches. The sound of the tar is very mellow and is often used as a solo instrument in Persian folk music.

Another popular instrument in Persian folk music is the setar. The setar is also a stringed instrument, but it has a much shorter neck than the tar. It is usually played with the fingers, rather than a pick. The sound of the setar is very bright and is often used in duets with the tar.

The keyboard is also a common instrument in Persian folk music. Keyboards come in many different sizes and shapes, from small portable ones to large ones that sit on stands. They can be tuned to different pitches, depending on the type of keyboard, and they can be played with either hands or feet.

Drums are also commonly used in Persian folk music. There are many different types of drums, from small hand drums to large bass drums. Drums can be played with sticks or with bare hands. They can be used to keep time or to add accents to the music.

The history of Persian folk music

Persian folk music (موسیقی پارسی عاشقانه or کنسرت) has its origins in the Persian Empire, and its history can be traced back as far as 5,000 years. Persian folk music is a fusion of many different Iranian musical traditions and is still very popular in Iran today.

Although Iranian folk music is not well-known outside of Iran, it has had a significant influence on the development of Western music. Persian folk music was an important source of inspiration for the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who used many of its melodic and rhythmic elements in his own works.

The history of Persian folk music is intimately bound up with the history of Iran itself. In the early days of the Persian Empire, folk music was used to promote the national identity of the Iranian people and to celebrate their culture and history.

Over time, as Persia came into contact with other cultures, its own folk music began to absorb elements from these other traditions. This process reached its height during the rule of the great Persian ruler Darius I, who encouraged musicians from all over his empire to come to Persia and share their music with the Iranian people.

Today, Persian folk music is still very popular in Iran, and it continues to evolve as it incorporates elements from other genres such as pop and traditional Arabic music.

The influence of Persian folk music on other genres

Broadly speaking, Persian folk music can be divided into two main categories: rural and urban. Rural folk music is typically more simple and traditionally based, while urban folk music is often more complex and derivative of other genres. Regardless of its geographic origins, Persian folk music has had a profound impact on the development of other genres, both inside and outside of Iran.

One notable example is the influence of Persian folk music on Classical Arabic music. While the two genres are quite different in terms of instrumentation and form, they share a number of common features, including modal scales and melodic ornamentation. Persian musicians began to adopt elements of Arabic music around the 10th century, and this synthesis continued for centuries afterwards. Many of the greatest Classical Arabic composers, such as Ibn al-Farid and Andalusian musician Ziryab, were themselves of Persian descent.

Persian folk music has also had an impact on Western classical music, particularly in the realm of opera. One of the most famous examples is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s 1787 play Faust, which draws heavily from Iranian mythology and features several characters based on real-life Iranian figures. The 19th-century Italian composer Gioachino Rossini was another fan of Persian culture; his 1817 opera Armida is based on an epic poem by the 12th-century Iranian poet Nizami Ganjavi.

The popularity of Persian folk music today

Persian folk music (known as Iranian Folk music or Iranian traditional music) has its origins in the Persian Empire of the Middle Ages. Persia was once a very powerful empire, and its influence can still be seen and heard today in Persian folk music. Though there have been many changes to Persian folk music over the centuries, it has always maintained its own unique identity.

Today, Persian folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is often used in movies and television shows set in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries, and it has been featured in numerous Western movies and TV shows as well. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Persian folk music among Iranians living in the diaspora, as well as non-Iranians who are simply interested in this beautiful and unique musical tradition.

An instrumental playlist of Persian folk music

Persian folk music (or Iranian folk music) is the traditional music of Iran. It consists of songs related to the daily lives of the people, their history and their culture. This type of music is usually danceable and is often played at weddings and other festive occasions.

The instruments used in Persian folk music include the ney (a type of flute), the tar (a type of lute), the dotar (a two-stringed lute), the kamancheh (a bowed string instrument) and the daf (a frame drum). The songs are usually in Persian, but sometimes they may be in other languages spoken in Iran, such as Azeri or Kurdish.

This playlist features some of the best-known and loved Persian folk songs, all performed on traditional instruments. Sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful sounds of Iran.