A study on the interpretation of divan feet with baglama in Turkish folk music

The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of divan ayakları (divan modes) on bağlama (a traditional Turkish string instrument) performance techniques in various geographical regions of Turkey and to identify the differences between these techniques. As part of Turkey's rich musical heritage, divan ayakları vary depending on the geographical and cultural characteristics of the regions in which they are performed. In this context, the concept of divan has been analyzed in relation to Turkish folk music, and the performance techniques and nuances used in bağlama have been explored in detail. In the first section of the study, the aims, methods, and limitations of the research are elaborated upon, providing a general introduction and outlining the theoretical framework of the research. This section establishes the overall structure of the study and presents the methodological foundation to the reader. The second section presents a conceptual analysis of the divan form from both a literary and musical perspective. While the place of divan in literature is examined, the types and characteristics of divan within the context of music are also discussed. The findings from this section lay the groundwork for the detailed analyses that follow in subsequent sections. In the third section, an in-depth examination of the regional characteristics of divan ayakları and performance styles in different parts of Turkey is conducted. By analyzing the versions of divan ayakları found in the TRT musical archives of Turkish folk music, the variations in performance techniques and regional differences are identified. Additionally, the performance techniques of non-notated pieces commonly performed in the folk music repertoire have been transcribed and documented based on interviews with key informants. These analyses aim to highlight the musical and technical richness of divan ayakları. In the final section, the results of these analyses are thoroughly evaluated, and various recommendations are offered in light of the findings. These recommendations include suggestions for preserving the performance techniques of divan ayakları and the importance of future studies on the performance of bağlama. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of bağlama performance and Turkish folk music repertoire, emphasizing the significance of divan ayakları in traditional music.