This page is the index to my hyper-media report on the traditional classical music of Persia (Iran). Of the many ancient societies that have shaped the history of human civilization, Persia has been one of the few which has persistently maintained its identity, and individuality through the ages; this is reflected in its classical music. The purpose of this site is to allow the casual observer an opportunity to explore the musical tradition of this ancient civilization.

You will need a WAV player to hear the sound clips in this report. Click here if you need to download a player.

Below is an outline of the ideas presented in this report. To view any topic in greater detail, simply click on it.

• A brief history of musical development in Iran
• Characteristics of the music
• The dastgah system
• Compositional structure
• Instruments
• The relationship between music, Sufi poetry, and the associated art of calligraphy
• Elsewhere on the web
• Bibliography

Characteristics:

• The music is mainly monophonic, with each instrument in an ensemble following one melodic scheme.
• The music is based upon a modal system; with each mode engenderring different melodic types, called gushehs in Farsi. The execution of the melodic types are left up to the musician.
• The use of microtones divides the scales into more than twelve semi-tones.
• A priority is given to ornamentation.
• There are a number of substantial pauses in each piece.

The following are characteristics which distinguish Persian music from other Central Asian music:

• Melodies are concentrated on a relatively narrow register.
• Melodic movement occurs by conjunct steps.
• Emphasis is on cadence, symmetry, and motivic repetition at different pitches.
• Rhythmic patterns are kept simple.
• The tempo is often rapid, and the ornamentation is dense.
• Vocal parts are often decorated with Tahrir, a vocal ornamentation similar to yodeling. Click here to hear an example of tahrir. (This is a 229K WAV file. )
• Also, Iranian music is unique in the Middle Eastern tradition in that the different melodic phrases, or gushes are supposed to model the rhythmic stamp and melodic pattern of poetry.

  Return to index

Compositional Structure

The vocal form is called tasnif. It has a design similar to the pishdaramad, and is usually placed immediately before the reng.

Return to index

Instruments

Iranian classical music is usually performed by small ensembles of variable size. These groups typically consist of the singer, one or two accompanying melodic instruments (either of kamanche, tar, santur, setar, or nay) and perhaps a rhythmic instrument, such as the dombak, or the now rarer daf. The most important instruments are listed below. Click on the names or pictures to read a description and to hear a sound sample.

setar	santur	tar
kamanche	nay	tombak

Even though they have unique voicings, these instruments are intertwined in the ensemble to maintain a monophonic texture. The following example, in which all of the instruments play the same melodic line is typical of Persian music. To hear what an ensemble sounds like, click the speaker below:

The nay, tar, santur, and setar playing as an ensemble(133K WAV file).

Return to the index

Related Sites

Bellow is a list of other sites having to do with Iran or Persian Music.

• The Iran pages at Stanford
  This site contains many more sound clips, and information about other aspects of Persian culture.
• On Iranian Classical Music
  This site contains a very extensive Iranian classical music discography, including information about some of the most famous composers and musicians of Iran.
• Persia Home Page
  A great site containing links to sites which cover every aspect of Persian art and culture.
• Rootsworld
  This on-line journal is devoted to the music of the world. Occasionally, it will contain some information about Persian music or musicians.
• Kereshmeh Records
  This record company deals exclusively in Iranian music. Their site is a good place to start looking if you want to start listening to Persian Music. They have a number of sound clips from one of the most respected vocalists of the classical style, Mohammad Reza Shajarian.

Return to index

Bibliography

• During, Jean. The Art of Persian Music. Washington D. C.: Mage Publishers, 1991.

• Farhat, Hormoz, The dastgah Concept in Persian Music. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1990

• Safvate, Dariouche. Nelly Caron. Iran, Les Traditions Musicales. Corra: Buchet/Chastle. 1966

Created 4/22/96 By Ali Zomorodi