Mus2okur - Multimedia Encyclopedia of Turkish Music now available in English

Dear group members,

We are delighted to announce the availability of Mus2okur – Multimedia Encyclopedia of Turkish Music, a computer program designed to teach the fundamentals of Turkish maqam music with textual, audio and visual materials and an expansive selection of musical works.

Turkish maqam music, descended from a grand history dating back centuries, is a genre based on a wealth of microtonal intervals, an abundant collection of rhythmic patterns called “usul”, and many instrumental and vocal forms. The oldest known compositions have survived to the present day by being passed on from master to pupil through the tradition of meşk. That is to say, notation and transcription of works was not considered an essential part of this music tradition. Similarly, theory was not given the importance it deserves in Turkish music compared to the various musics of the world. Even though this genre thrives today with new works and high popularity in the Turkish nation, there is considerable disagreement over Turkish music theory.

With the rise in the number of conservatories in Turkey and the adoption of modern educational techniques, musicians who are not well versed in music notation have dwindled. However, whether the theory taught in conservatories reflects the current music practice is still a matter of debate.

Mus2okur presents Turkish maqam music to the international music community with music performances based on current theory as well as measurements and examinations of performances by the masters of the genre. The free demo version can be downloaded from www.musiki.org/Mus2okur_en.aspx .

We look forward to hearing your opinions and suggestions.

Utku Uzmen on behalf of Data-Soft Ltd.

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Utku Uzmen" <utkuuzmen@...>
wrote:
>
> Dear group members,
>
> We are delighted to announce the availability of Mus2okur â€"
Multimedia Encyclopedia of Turkish Music, a computer program designed
to teach the fundamentals of Turkish maqam music with textual, audio
and visual materials and an expansive selection of musical works.
>
> Turkish maqam music, descended from a grand history dating back
centuries, is a genre based on a wealth of microtonal intervals, an
abundant collection of rhythmic patterns called “usul”, and many
instrumental and vocal forms. The oldest known compositions have
survived to the present day by being passed on from master to pupil
through the tradition of meşk. That is to say, notation and
transcription of works was not considered an essential part of this
music tradition. Similarly, theory was not given the importance it
deserves in Turkish music compared to the various musics of the
world. Even though this genre thrives today with new works and high
popularity in the Turkish nation, there is considerable disagreement
over Turkish music theory.
>
> With the rise in the number of conservatories in Turkey and the
adoption of modern educational techniques, musicians who are not well
versed in music notation have dwindled. However, whether the theory
taught in conservatories reflects the current music practice is still
a matter of debate.
>
> Mus2okur presents Turkish maqam music to the international music
community with music performances based on current theory as well as
measurements and examinations of performances by the masters of the
genre. The free demo version can be downloaded from
www.musiki.org/Mus2okur_en.aspx .
>
> We look forward to hearing your opinions and suggestions.
>
>
> Utku Uzmen on behalf of Data-Soft Ltd.
>
From Robert. I downloaded the demo version. From what I can gather
the complete working version appears to be an excellent introduction
to 24tet in general and a practical solution for Turkish music in
particular.