INTG MH547 Music of Turkey Performance Lab
This lab combines the “Music of Turkey” course (2 hours per week) with an additional weekly performance segment (1 hour per week). As a result, the course will focus on classical, folk, and popular music traditions from Turkey while having the students actively engage with the performance practices of such traditions based on chosen makam (modes) and usul (rhythmic cycles).
It is not uncommon for professional musicians who are unfamiliar with non-Western musical traditions to get confused with Western flavored adaptations of makam and reduce the wide spectrum of different types of Turkish musics to one stereotypical kind. Therefore, one of the main goals of this lab is to communicate the cultural and musical issues of several Ottoman/Turkish and closely related musical styles while getting the students to be able to identify and differentiate between various manifestations of makam and usul such as those found in Turkish Sufi (Islamic mysticism) music, Greek Orthodox (Byzantine) music, Sephardic Jewish music from Turkey, the music of the so-called Ottoman janissary bands, and even Turkish psychedelic Rock from the 70s. Through directed reading, listening, occasional in-class video screenings, and, most importantly, weekly performances students will attain a deeper understanding of the primary characteristics of Turkey’s major music traditions and instruments, learn relevant musical concepts, and develop critical skills. Co-Requisite: MHST 547