PERSIAN MUSIC

Radif
Dastgah
Mayeh
Magham
Gusheh
Shahid Note
Stop Note
Forms 
Improvisation
Modulation
Scales 

Radif
The Radif (raw or rank, model or a suit of sequences) is an evolving collection of old melodies that have been categorized into seven Dastgah. The main element of the Radif consists of the modes of each Dastgah and the sequence of the Goushehs and Avazes. Since the Radif was compiled and narrated by different masters, various versions of the Radif have emerged over time. However, in a broader sense, the Radif can be divided into two main categories: the vocal Radif and the instrumental Radif. The instrumental Radif is based on vocal modes or non-rhythmic music, which is designed in accordance with the special capabilities of each instrument for which the Radif is written. The vocal Radif is a kind of Radif in which Avaz or non-rhythmic music is based on poetic meters and syllabus. The rhythm is greatly influenced by the rhythm and meter of Persian poetry. This kind of Radif is performed by a vocalist. Since there is a close relation between instrumental and vocal parts of most Persian classical music, the player usually follows the vocalist in performance.

 

Dastgháh 
Iranian classical music is based on the Radif which consists of seven Dastgahs. Apparently, the first classification of the Radif was derived from the Bohur Al-Alhan, a book written by Fursat Al dullah-i Shirazi. In addition to the characteristics of Maqam, each Dastgah has some rhythmic forms, such as intermezzo (Chaharmiezrab), Reng, and Kerishmeh as well as some non-rhythmic forms, which make the most part of each Dastgah. Modal changes appear in performing each Dastgah and return to the initial modes is other characteristics of each Dastgah. The names of the different Dastgahs and their sub-divisions in the Radif are

  • Dastgah Shur, includes Avaz Abuata, Bayat Tork (Zand), Avaz Afshari, and Avaz Dashti
  • Dastgah Segah
  • Dastgah Chargah
  • Dastgah Mahur
  • Dastgah Humayoun and Avaz Esfahan
  • Dastgah Rastpanjgah
  • Dastgah Nava

 

Mayeh
Mayeh is kind of tonal and it is similar to scale, but unlike scale, tonal not necessarily requires the sequence of the notes between the beginning and the ending notes of the scale. In Persian music, tonal is sometimes used for defining the Avaz like Mayeh-i Isfahán and Mayeh-i Afshary.

 

Maqam
Mayeh is kind of Mode: is the distances between the notes of any specify scale. In analyzing the theory of Persian traditional music, each scale is divided into two Dongs. The Dongs could be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Sometimes, both Dastgah and Maqam are used for the same purpose in Persian music like Dastgah-I Shur or Maqam-I Shur. In this case, Maqam-i Shur signifies the notes which correspond to the Daramad-i Shure.

 

Gusheh
Each of the existing melody in the Radif is called Gusheh. Gushes can appear in the form of Charmeszrab and Kershemeh. From the modal perspective, Gushes can be divided into two categories: the Gushes which are based on the change of the tonic or stop notes. In this case, the change of the mode has not occurred in accordance with Daramad. The other Gushes have changed in respect to the tonic and endnotes. For instance, Gusheh Dad in Mahur is among those Gushes that only its tonic note has change, while the mode and the tonic note have changed in Gusheh Delkash in the same Dastgah. Foroud is the descent or return to the beginning of the melody which is in accordance with the mode of the Daraumad. 

Shahid Note (Tonic Note)
It is the note that appears more than any other notes and is the center of the melody.

Stop Note
After playing a Shahid note in a Gusheh you can end on this note as well as the Shahid note. Shahid and Stop can be the same note as in Mahour Do, Gosheh Delkash (Shahid & Stop are Sol) or they can be different notes as in Mahour Do, Gousheh Shekasteh (Shahed is Sol and Stop is Mi Koron) 

Forms in Persian Music 
Generally, form in music refers to the shape and the skeleton of the musical piece. There are two general forms in Persian music: First, the forms that exist in the Radif, such as Daraumad, Avaz, Kereshmeh, Bastehnegar, Charmezrab, Renge, Masnavi, and so forth. Second, the forms that do not exist in the Radif like Peeshdaramad and Tasneef. Except Daramad which is the introducer of the main mode in each Dastgah, all of the existing forms in Persian music are performable in other Dastgahs and Gushes. 

A. The Existing Forms In The Radif

 

  • Daramad, it denotes beginning or appearing. Daramad introduces the main mode of each Dastgah. The form of Daramad can be though of vocal form too.
  • Avaz: is the main part of each Dastgah and is a non-rhythmic form.
  • Kereshmeh: is a rhythmic form whose rhythmic cycle is twelve.
  • Bastenegar: is also a rhythmic form which has a three-beat cycle (3/8, 3/16,…).
  • Charmezrab: has the fastest rhythm in the Radif. It can have various rhythmic cycles, such as 6/8, 6/16, 4/4, 2/4, etc.
  • Reng: is a dance-like piece marking the end of the performance. Its rhythmic cycle is usually 6/8.

 

B. The Forms that do not exist in the Radif
  • Pishdaramad (prelude) usually performed in the beginning of the performance. It is a slow rhythmic piece which comes before Daramad in each Dastgah. These rhythmic forms usually have 2/4, 4/4, 6/4 rhythmic cycles. Darvish Khan and Mokhtari played a vital role in developing and promoting this rhythmic form.
  • Tasneef is a kind of music, which is accompanied with poems. Therefore, the presence of a vocalist is necessary in performing a Tasneef. Usually, Tasneef has a part known as overture and some other portions which can be only instrumental or partially instrumental and vocal. In terms of rhythm, Tasneef can have the form of Renge.

 

Improvisation
Improvisation is a kind of art in which the performer in accordance with his/her emotional mod uses his/her musical knowledge which he/she has gained through many years of repletion and practice under the supervision of the master. It should be mentioned that the ultimate goal of memorizing and mastering the Radif is to make the musician able to improvise

Modulation
Modulation is the art of changing the initial mode, going to different modes, and returning to the original mode. This mastery cannot be achieved unless the musician has perfectly learned the different Radifs and other musical pieces and compositions.

 

Scale’s note name in Persian music