Musical analysis, transcription, and bağlama adaptation of ağır zeybek performances with davul and zurna: The case of Saadettin Doğan

Zeybeks, one of the characteristic musical forms of the Aegean Region, hold a significant place within the local musical traditions of Anatolia, particularly in terms of instrumental repertoire and musical structure. Among the most distinctive examples of this musical form are the "ağır zeybek" (literally slow zeibek or slow-tempo zeibek) pieces, which stand out in the Aydın region and its surroundings with their unique stylistic features and instrumental ensemble settings. The defining element in Aydın's ağır zeybeks is their slow-tempo rhythmic structure, which, combined with improvisatory melodic lines performed with davul and zurna, forms a regionally rooted musical aesthetic shaped by the individual styles of master performers. The primary aim of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the ağır zeybek music specific to the Aydın region through the example of Saadettin Doğan, with the goal of establishing a theoretical framework for this traditional musical form and developing an original model for its adaptation to the bağlama. The scope of this thesis is based on the ağır zeybek performances featured in Saadettin Doğan's album recordings. The research employs a qualitative methodology. Throughout the research process, both literature reviews and field studies were conducted to gather information on ağır zeybek music and Saadettin Doğan's musical life. In this context, academic sources such as theses, articles, and books were examined, and one-on- one interviews were conducted with local performers and field experts who specialize in regional music. Based on the findings of the literature review, qualitative data collection techniques, and field research carried out within the framework of local musical culture, a methodological framework for the study was established. This study focuses on the slow zeybek performances of Saadettin Doğan, a prominent figure of local musical culture in Aydın, based on his audio album recordings. Through literature review and field research, it has been established that the ağır zeybek tradition remains a living musical practice in the region, with Saadettin Doğan representing a pivotal performance identity within this tradition. The study evaluates the musical structure of the selected repertoire from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Musical analyses were conducted systematically in alphabetical order, and each zeybek piece was examined in terms of musical structure, instrumental techniques, formal schemes, and performance characteristics. Particular attention was paid to the playing techniques of davul-zurna ensembles, rhythmic patterns, ornamentations, pauses, and transitions, all analyzed with reference to how these elements can be adapted to the bağlama instrument. Furthermore, the study addresses certain theoretical discussions on ağır zeybek music that remain underdeveloped in the existing literature and proposes alternative perspectives. In the conclusion, the technical, aesthetic, and repertoire-based contributions of the analyses and adaptations to bağlama performance are comprehensively discussed. In this context, the thesis aims to make an original contribution by both documenting local musical traditions and integrating them into contemporary performance practices. Transcriptions of the analyzed pieces are presented in detail in the "Appendices" section, and QR codes provide direct access to corresponding audio and video recordings. Keywords: Zeibek, Kaba zurna, Asma davul, Bağlama, Adaptation.