Proceedings of The 6th International Conference on Future of Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/6th.icfss.2023.09.131
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The Importance and Use of Percussion Instruments in Turkish Music
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Emsal Aksın Çevik
ABSTRACT:
Percussion instruments have been used in the performance of traditional and religious rituals in the earliest periods of Turkish music. Initially, these instruments accompanied human voices in forms such as speech, shouting, pleading, and crying, emphasizing the intended emotions. Later on, with the influence of intercultural interaction, it became known that percussion instruments were used together with various other instruments. Throughout the historical process in Turkish music, percussion instruments used as rhythmic instruments, although they may appear to be used for maintaining and sustaining the tempo, actually had different missions for each instrument. In this sense, not every percussion instrument has been used in all forms of Turkish music. These instruments have been considered as being one of the most important instruments in Turkish music, both throughout history and in contemporary times, depending on the functioning of the music genre. Particularly, the kudüm instrument, which has been highly influential in the formation of Turkish music modes, has even taken on the role of a choir conductor in some musical ensembles. This study examines the importance of percussion instruments in Turkish music and their intended use, based on qualitative research techniques. The study focuses especially on the four rhythm instruments that are widely used in Turkish music. The findings of the study reveal that while the nevbe instrument, one of these instruments, has lost both its musical and social functionality, kudüm, drum, and kös instruments continue to be used both in social life activities and in concerts and rituals in various musical ensembles.
Keywords: Percussions instrument, Classical Turkish Music, Rhythmic instruments, rituals and ceremonies, Turkish Music