Saz semai
Encyclopedia
The saz semai is also spelled saz sema'i, saz sema-i, saz sema i, saz semaī, saz semâ'î, sazsemai, saz semaisi, or sazsemaisi. In the Arab world
, it is called Samâi. It is an instrumental form in Ottoman classical music
. It was typically the closing movement of a fasıl
(suite). The saz semai was metered and typically used the usul (rhythmic structure) called Aksak Semai.
A saz semai is typically in 4 movement
s, called Hane, door, each movement followed by a teslim
(refrain).
The teslim and the three first Hane are usually in rhythm structure 10/8, unlike the fourth Hane which will be in 6/4.
Like :
First Hane (Rhythm : 10/8)
Teslim (Rhythm : 10/8)
Second Hane (Rhythm : 10/8)
Teslim
Third Hane (Rhythm : 10/8)
Teslim
Fourth Hane (Rhythm : 6/4)
Teslim
Here a few of them :
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, it is called Samâi. It is an instrumental form in Ottoman classical music
Ottoman classical music
Ottoman classical music developed in Istanbul and major Ottoman towns from Skopje to Cairo, from Tabriz to Morocco through the palace, mosques, and sufi lodges of the Ottoman Empire. Above all a vocal music, Ottoman music traditionally accompanies a solo singer with a small instrumental ensemble...
. It was typically the closing movement of a fasıl
Fasil
The fasıl is a suite in Ottoman classical music. It is similar to the Arabic nawba and waslah.A classical fasıl generally includes movements such as taksim, peşrev, kâr, beste, ağır semâ'î, yürük semâ'î, gazel, şarkı and saz semâ'î, played continuously without interludes and interconnected through...
(suite). The saz semai was metered and typically used the usul (rhythmic structure) called Aksak Semai.
A saz semai is typically in 4 movement
Movement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
s, called Hane, door, each movement followed by a teslim
Teslim
A teslīm is a refrain in classical Arabic music and Ottoman classical music. It returns several times in the genres of sama'i, peşrev, and saz semaisi. This term is the equivalent to the Ottoman term mülâzeme.-External links:*...
(refrain).
The teslim and the three first Hane are usually in rhythm structure 10/8, unlike the fourth Hane which will be in 6/4.
Like :
First Hane (Rhythm : 10/8)
Teslim (Rhythm : 10/8)
Second Hane (Rhythm : 10/8)
Teslim
Third Hane (Rhythm : 10/8)
Teslim
Fourth Hane (Rhythm : 6/4)
Teslim
Common Saz Semaisi
Some Saz Semaisi are very known and played in the all makam music area (From Greece to Irak, and from Irak to Marokko).Here a few of them :
- Samâi al Thakil - also called : Arap saz semai. This samai is in makam Bayati.
- Samâi Al-Aryan - also called : Samâi Bayati.
- Samâi Shad Araban - Shet araban saz semaisi. Composed by Tanburi Cemil Bey.
- Samâi Husseyni. Composed by Tanburi Cemil Bey.
- Samâi Nahawand - Nihavend saz semaisi. Commposed by the son of Tanburi Cemil Bey : Mas'ud Cemil Bey.
Saz Semai 's Composers
- Tanburi Cemil BeyTanburi Cemil BeyTanburi Cemil Bey , was a Turkish tanbur, yaylı tanbur, kemençe, and lavta virtuoso and composer, who has greatly contributed to the taksim genre in Ottoman classical music...
was a noted composer of saz semai. - We must mention the name of a contemporary turkish kanun player who composed a very beautiful semai. He is called Göksel Baktagir. He composed the Hicaz saz semai called Garip.