Turkish Music Analysis - Essay Example

In the early history of Turkish music, the Turks had a nomadic lifestyle, and music was highly expressive of their lifestyle. As they moved, their music acquired influences from other communities they interacted with. Though they were not able to read and write, their music was as developed as their oral literature. Later there was great influence from Islam who had migrated into Turkey and hence the development of Arabesque music that was most popular in mosques. Later, in the contemporary era, Turkish music has been highly influenced by Western music. There has also been some minimal influence of Turkish music on Western music. This has resulted in the development of Turkish pop music which has changed many aspects of traditional Turkish music (Turkish Cultural Foundation, 2005).

Turkish music uses musical instruments that are designed and developed to suit different genres. Some of these musical instruments include kanuns, darbukas, violins, trumpets, and clarinets. Turkish music has received support from a Turkish education system that allows music to be taught in schools. The music industry also supports Turkish music through television and radio stations, Music is significant in the lives of Turkish people because of the role it plays in celebrations and important Turkish festivals such as Newroz and Islamic Ramadhan (Turkish Cultural Foundation, 2005).