AN EVOLVEMENT FROM TRADITIONAL TO MODERN MUSIC IN TURKEY

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The world has used music as a means of expression for many years. Traditional music has been challenged over time by advances in creativity and lifestyle, yet listening to both traditional and modern music is always a unique experience.  Turkish culture uses a variety of musical instruments that have developed with modern technology. The zed flute, bagpipe, and other culturally distinctive instruments are just a few that you may anticipate. 

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Image from getty image

 

Turkish music is mostly composed of Turkic components, with minor contributions from Arabic, Persian, Balkan, Ottoman, and not to mention central Asian folk music. As the world becomes more westernized, the musical trend advances and may be traced back to the 1930s. Different musical genres are played in cities and towns as a means to appreciate and promote their local music scene.  The open economy and society that enable Aksu to promote pop music have helped the Turkish music industry grow throughout time. The emergence of alternative Turkish rock, hip hop and rap, electronica, and dance music in the 1990s drastically altered Turkish music. 

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TRADITIONAL MUSIC

Early in 1930, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk gave a speech that resulted in the outlawing of Alaturca music, completely altering the music scene in Turkey. The only music that the general populace found tolerable was that which adhered to Western tonal principles. Due to this action, the majority of Turkish composers received their education overseas and returned home to teach western-style composition and performance techniques in classical music. By 1924, everything had changed, with orchestras performing for free in educational institutions that focused on music.

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A new era in music was made possible by the arrival of new instruments including trumpets, pianos, and saxophones in cultural hubs and rural communities. By the 1970s, Arabesque music had taken over the region, and the majority of well-known Turkish performers had adapted to it. 

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FOLK MUSIC

Turkish folk music is mostly a synthesis of Turkish civilizations and local cultural elements. During the Ottoman Empire era, this was among the most listened-to music. Turkish folk music was first broadcast in 1960, and artists like Neset Ertas quickly gained popularity. The folk songs known as Türkü are thought to have their roots in Turkish musical customs.  The folk songs known as "ark" are the ones that developed from all other songs and have many musical styles. The instruments used to play this style of music include the cumbus, baglama, Kabak Keane, and kemenche. Local folk dances, which vary from region to region, are performed in sync with the regional folk music.  This genre of music is revered as people's music in Turkey. 

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KANTO MUSIC

The Italian opera and theater had a significant impact on Turkish culture, and one of the songs sung in between plays was Kanto music. These songs are solos or duets based on eastern traditional makam. To provide variety, they are frequently played with western instruments. In Galata's musical theaters in 1922, this style of music made its debut. The Kanto vocalists were also expert composers, creating melodies that were both emotional and remarkable. Kanto is now classified as something out of the ordinary. Furthermore, Kanto is a term used to describe music that uses a variety of instruments and free rhythms. In terms of contemporary pop culture, it is more a precursor. 

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MODERN MUSIC

Turkish music opened the way for the emergence of western culture, opening the door for the most popular musical genres including rock, jazz, roil, and even tango. Currently, heavy metal, reggae, and hip hop are the most popular musical genres in Turkey. One of the beautiful musicians that contributed to the distinctive Turkish pop music was Sezen Aksu. She was Turkey's most passionate supporter of participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in the early 1950s and 1960s.  Turkish contemporary music is characterized by lively pace and flair. 

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Turkish hip hop was created by a community of migrant workers in Germany. The youthful generation was drawn to the music, and in 1995 the Turkish German community created the hip-hop group Cartel. Hip hop is currently a popular genre among the younger generation, with Saian, Hayki, and Salvo among its well-known artists. Popular US and UK bands dominated the scene by the late 1960s, and rock music began to gain popularity among Turks. At this point, rock and folk began to converge to become Anatolian rock (Turkish rock). These days, various bands disseminate this genre of music worldwide. Turkey's traditional and contemporary music has made some of the most enlivening strides over the years. The future will alone be able to predict the changes this wonderful music will undergo.