The use of violin instrument in the Central Anatolian Abdal music tradition (The example of Seyit Çevik)

When the history of the modern violin instrument is examined, it is seen that it was derived from the "ıklig" instrument used in Central Asia, just like other stringed instruments. It is known that this instrument, developed in Europe, later came to Anatolia along with different interactions. With the westernization movements initiated in the Ottoman Empire, it is known that the violin instrument began to be used in Turkish music. Although its exact entry into Turkish folk music is not known, it can be said that the music ban of 1934 played an important role in this regard. The violin, used in many different regions in Anatolia, is also performed by local artists. One of these artists is Seyit Çevik from Keskin. In this study, the violin instrument used in Turkish folk music is explained through Çevik and his works. Çevik's violin playing style was examined, and 21 pieces in his three different albums were identified and notated. The works were examined through elements such as mode and sound field. In the literature, it is seen that there are very few sources specifically focusing on the use of the violin instrument in Turkish folk music. It can be said that this study was produced with the aim of demonstrating the importance of the violin instrument in Turkish folk music in the literature. At the same time, it is thought that this study will open the door to different studies on the use of the violin instrument in Turkish folk music. This study was conducted using a mixed research model, and qualitative research methods such as literature review, historical research, and field research were used in the research process. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the violin instrument has an important place in folk music, and can even be considered a folk music instrument. In addition, it was found that when Çevik's works were examined, the violin perfectly matched the local melodies and was performed without creating any disconnection in the regional tunes.