Performance opinions of mute kavals performers in Turkish folk music ensembles affiliated to the Ministry of Culture in Turkey according to regional characteristics

This master's thesis focuses on the question of how regional characteristics should be reflected in the performance of the dilsiz kaval, one of the deeply rooted wind instruments of Turkish folk music. With the establishment of Turkish Music State Conservatories, the dilsiz kaval became part of formal music education and has since evolved through various performance approaches. Notably, performers affiliated with Turkish Folk Music Ensembles under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism contribute significantly to this development through structured training and selection processes. The study investigates the extent to which dilsiz kaval performers reflect the musical identity of the regions they belong to or represent. It explores how the essence and stylistic features of a specific region can be conveyed to the listener through performance. The research emphasizes that a performer should possess not only technical skills but also knowledge of the historical development of Turkish music, regional characteristics of Turkish folk music, and the structural and performance features of the dilsiz kaval. The foundation of the research is based on interviews conducted with experienced performers working in ensembles under the Ministry of Culture. These interviews provided experiential insight into how regional style, articulation, and interpretation can be transmitted through the instrument. The findings reveal that the dilsiz kaval is not merely a technical instrument, but also a vehicle for expressing and preserving cultural identity. In addition, the thesis presents theoretical information on Turkish music, Turkish folk music, and the dilsiz kaval, supported by literature review and qualitative data from field experience. Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of conveying regional characteristics in dilsiz kaval performance in an accurate, effective, and perceivable manner, offering suggestions in the areas of music education, repertoire transmission, and cultural sustainability. Keywords: Dilsiz Kaval, Regional Performance, Turkish Folk Music, Region