# Persian Classical — Genre 🇮🇷

> Iranian classical music. Dastgah modal system. Sufi tradition. Highly ornamented.

## Defining elements

- Dastgah system (12 main modes — similar to mugham)
- Improvisational ornamentation
- Vocal central (often)
- Microtonal intervals
- Free time often (rubato)
- Sufi / mystical content

## The dastgahs (12 main modes)

1. **Shur** — melancholic (most common)
2. **Mahur** — joyful
3. **Homayoun** — philosophical
4. **Segah** — emotional
5. **Chahargah** — dramatic
6. **Nava** — peaceful
7. **Rast-Panjgah** — celebratory
And 5 derived (avaz) modes.

Note: Many overlap with Azerbaijani mugham (Şur, Segah, Çahargah common to both).

## Typical instrumentation

- **Tar** — long-necked lute (also in Azerbaijani tradition)
- **Setar** — smaller lute
- **Santur** — hammered dulcimer
- **Kamancheh** — bowed string (also Azerbaijani)
- **Ney** — flute (Sufi tradition)
- **Tombak** — Persian drum
- **Daf** — frame drum
- Vocal — solo with extensive ornamentation

## Vocal style

- Highly ornamented (tahrir — vocal trills)
- Microtonal pitch bends
- Long sustained emotional notes
- Mystical / spiritual delivery
- Master-apprentice tradition (radif system)

## Lyrics tradition

- Classical Persian poetry: Hafez, Rumi, Saadi, Omar Khayyam
- Sufi mystical themes
- Wine, the beloved (often divine metaphor)
- Nightingale and rose imagery
- Divine love

## Production characteristics

- Acoustic recording
- Minimal processing
- Concert hall or traditional setting
- Live performance feel

## For Suno

```
[Style: traditional Persian classical, free rhythm (rubato), Shur dastgah, 
tar + setar + santur + ney + tombak with male vocal in Persian classical 
style with extensive ornamentation (tahrir) and microtonal bends, sung in 
Persian language, mystical Sufi atmosphere, traditional acoustic ensemble]
```

## Examples (masters)

- **Mohammad Reza Shajarian** — global master
- **Hossein Alizadeh** — modern composer
- **Kayhan Kalhor** — kamancheh master
- **Shahram Nazeri** — Sufi master
- **Mohammad-Reza Lotfi** — tar master

## Modern fusion

- Persian classical + jazz
- Persian classical + cinematic
- Examples: Kayhan Kalhor + Yo-Yo Ma collaborations

## Connection to Azerbaijani mugham

Both share:
- Modal system (dastgah / mugham)
- Some same modes (Shur/Şur, Segah, Çahargah)
- Tar + kamancheh instruments
- Vocal ornamentation tradition

Differences:
- Persian uses Persian language
- Azerbaijani uses Azerbaijani
- Slight melodic variations
- Different cultural contexts

## Avoid

- 4-on-the-floor beat
- Auto-tune
- Western chord progressions
- Generic "Eastern" feel
- Mixing with Arabic music (Persian classical is distinct)
