Structural characteristics and analysis of Fado music

Nations are identified with certain genres of music. Just as Argentina reminds people of Tango, Spain of Flamenco, Greece of Syrtaki, Portugal immediately brings to mind Fado. Fado is the most popular genre of Portuguese music. In this study, the social factors which have paved the way for the emergence of Fado music, one of Portugal's folk music genres, were examined with a performative stance in terms of culture and historical processes since its birth and sociological aspects of this music genre and their similarities with others were described. The study is a descriptive research; moreover, it was performed by using historical and comparative techniques and on the basis of examinations of written, visual and audio sources selected from the related literature. In the research, the similarities between Fado music and other music genres including elegy, bozlak (a form of Turkish folk song from Central Anatolia which means "to cry ot" or "to burst out") and arabesque were examined, and emotional states in which societies combined with music were revealed despite differences in various factors such as regional areas, culture and life experiences. The lyrics of Fado music were also analyzed and the term saudade, an emotion that is a common fixture in the music of Portugal, was tried to be expressed. Results obtained from the study included that Fado music is a cultural element of the Portuguese people, this music genre has shed light on the social and ideological events in Portugal from the past to the present time, and it has played an key role in contributing to the popularity of Portugal in the world.