A study of the concepts of beginning, course, and decision in turkish makam music in the case of Mevlevi rites

This study examines the concepts of "ağaz/beginning-seyir-karar" (beginning-course-cadence) fundamental elements of the theoretical structure in Turkish makam music within the context of their melodic functions in the opening sections (first selam) of Mevlevi Ayins. The usage of the terms "ağaz/beginning", "seyir", and "karar" in theoretical texts from the 15th to the 20th centuries is analyzed within the framework of the Anatolian edvar tradition, and the makam and terkib descriptions of theorists from different periods are comparatively evaluated. As a sample, 41 Mevlevi Ayins included in the Darülelhan Külliyatı (Istanbul Conservatory Publications) were reexamined based on Sühan İrden's 2012 "Mevlevi Ayin Analysis Method". The analyses reveal that the ağaz/beginning-seyir-karar melodic model presents a melodic structure that represents the identity of the makam or terkib in the opening sections (first selam) of the Mevlevi Ayins.