# Azerbaijani Mugham — Genre 🇦🇿

> Classical Azerbaijani art music. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Modal, ornamented, vocal-led.

## Defining elements

- Modal system (mugham modes)
- Improvisational ornamentation
- Vocal central (often unaccompanied moments)
- Microtonal intervals (between Western half-steps)
- Free time (rubato) often
- Spiritual / philosophical content

## The 7 main mughams

1. **Rast** — joyful, celebratory, "father of mughams"
2. **Şur** — melancholic, contemplative
3. **Segah** — tragic, deeply emotional, most popular
4. **Çahargah** — dramatic, fiery
5. **Bayatı-Şiraz** — sad, longing
6. **Şüştər** — peaceful, contemplative
7. **Humayun** — philosophical, profound

Each mugham has its own emotional register and traditional usage.

## Typical instrumentation

- **Tar** — long-necked lute (signature instrument)
- **Kamancha** — bowed string instrument
- **Daf** — frame drum
- Vocal — solo vocalist with extensive ornamentation

This is the classical "mugham trio" (Tar + Kamancha + Daf + voice).

## Production characteristics

- Acoustic recording (concert hall or traditional setting)
- Minimal processing
- Live performance feel
- Wide dynamic range
- Solo vocalist with subtle accompaniment

## Vocal style

- Highly ornamented
- Microtonal pitch bends
- Long sustained notes with vibrato
- Emotional intensity
- Master-apprentice tradition

## Lyrics tradition

- Often classical poetry: Füzuli, Nəsimi, Vahid
- Ghazal form (qəzəl)
- Sufi / mystical themes
- Love (earthly + divine)
- Philosophy / existence
- See: lyrics/azerbaijani/classical-forms/ghazal.md

## For Suno

```
[Style: traditional Azerbaijani mugham, free rhythm (rubato), Şur mode, 
tar + kamancha + daf with male vocal in mugham style with extensive 
ornamentation and microtonal pitch bends, sung in Azerbaijani language, 
spiritual/contemplative atmosphere, traditional acoustic recording]
```

## Examples (masters)

- **Alim Qasimov** — global mugham master (UNESCO Artist for Peace)
- **Aygün Bayramova** — modern female mugham vocalist
- **Bülbül** — classical Azerbaijani singer
- **Rashid Behbudov** — fusion classical-pop
- **Gochag Askarov** — modern mugham

## Modern fusion

- Mugham + jazz (Aziza Mustafa Zadeh)
- Mugham + rock
- Mugham + electronic (modern experimental)

## Avoid

- 4-on-the-floor beat
- Auto-tune
- Western pop chord progressions
- Generic "Eastern" feel (mugham is specific)
- Drum machine
- Chord-based harmony (mugham is melodic-modal)
