Turkish folk music

Turkish folk music has always been popular and still reaches great audiences, including old and young people. Belkıs Akkale, Kamil Sönmez, Arif Sağ, Neşet Ertaş and Erkan Oğur are all liked and are actively giving concerts for thousands of people.

            There are contests catered towards young people sponsored by the government in this genre. Türkiye Üniversiteler Arası Türk Halk Müziği Yarışması (inter-university) and Gençlik Merkezleri Arası Türk Halk Müziği Yarışması (inter-youth centers) are held each year.

It is just as important to be able to play a regional instrument as to sing. The command of the musician over his instrument is very important – musicians usually play their instruments as if they were an extension of their bodies. The lyrics are usually from the heart and very witty. The crowds love the “ozans,” the instrumentalists-vocalists.

TUMATA is founded in 1976 to research and promote the birth and development of Turkish music, its repertory, and its richness in instruments. Between 1991 and 1995 it organized activities in liaison with the University of Istanbul Ethnomusicology Research and Application center. The repertory, musical performance style and types, dances, costumes and decorations, social, cultural and pedagogical sources of Turkish music and application material of music therapy which was rediscovered by modern medicine comprise the general activities of TUMATA.

Feza Tansuğ is one of the few ethnomusicologists of the country and currently is director of the Anthropology Department at Yeditepe University.

Baba Zula - This unique band combines traditional Turkish instruments with electronic background beats, resulting in something called psychedelic folk. They are a well-known alternative band.

Buzuki Orhan incorporates Greek instruments and produces a unique sound that combines Turkish and Greek melodies. He works with his group of fellow musicians and the end result is a must-see.

Gypsy music is also a genre indigenous to Turkey, and can be used as a genre for very interesting outcomes when combines with Dutch musicians. Belgin is not a musician herself but is very resourceful regarding Gypsy musicians