Makam tuning: what are 53 commas?

Commas and interval names

In Arel-Ezgi-Uzdilek (AEU) theory, 24 pitches per octave are used and intervals are measured in commas: koma 1, eksik bakiye 3, bakiye 4, küçük mücenneb 5, büyük mücenneb 8, tanini (whole tone) 9 and the augmented second 12-13 commas. The theory rests on Pythagorean ratios; dividing the octave into 53 equal parts gives these values to within less than a cent.

Makam scales

Scales are built by joining tetrachords and pentachords. Rast: 9-8-5-9-9-8-5 (tonic rast, G). Ussak: 8-5-9-9-4-9-9 (tonic dugah, A). Huseyni: 8-5-9-9-8-5-9. Kurdi: 4-9-9-9-4-9-9. Nihavend: 9-4-9-9-4-9-9 (tonic rast). Each scale adds up to 53 commas.

In performance some pitches are played a comma or two away from the written value, so the theoretical scale is an approximate map of live playing. The makam sessions in the app use the theoretical 53-comma values.

Ahenk and transposition

In Turkish music, notation is read transposed to the ahenk (pitch level) of the instrument being played, so the same makam sounds at different heights in different ahenks. Frekans Studio takes dugah as A (220 Hz); rast is 9 commas below it.

Frequently asked questions

Does Turkish music use quarter tones?

"Quarter tone" is a rough analogy. In AEU, intervals are measured in commas; for example the segah pitch is one comma flatter than buselik.

Can I play these scales on a piano?

A piano with 12 equal semitones cannot produce these intervals. You need an adjustable instrument or electronic tuning; on the Stage you can set the tuning engine to 53 equal steps and listen.

Listen and try

• Makam · Ussak
• Makam · Kurdi
• Stage