Resources / Theory

Theory

Pitch systems, çeşni and ajnas, seyir, and the Turkish/Arabic split.

1. 01Pitch systemsThe 53-comma Turkish system, Arabic 24-tone notation, and cents.
2. 02Çeşni and ajnas — the building blocksTetrachords and pentachords — the building blocks makams are assembled from.
3. 03Seyir — melodic direction and pitch hierarchyMelodic direction and the hierarchy of pitches within a makam.
4. 04The dastgah systemPersian classical modal system — the 7 dastgahs, 5 avazes, and how they relate to makam.
5. 05Turkish makam vs Arabic maqamWhere the Turkish and Arabic traditions actually diverge.
6. 06Persian parde names and the koron/sori systemThe Persian pitch naming system, its 53-comma mapping, and comparison with Turkish perde names.
7. 07Makam and dastgah — a cross-referenceWhere Turkish makam and Persian dastgah overlap, diverge, and share history.