Page 53 - Young Wise

Betül KELEŞ MUSIC

Carrying
Carrying
Turkish Folk Music
Turkish Folk Music

into the Future
into the Future

An Interview with Emre Dayıoğlu-a Folk Musician and a Teachererview with Emre Dayıoğlu-a Folk Musician and a Teacher
An Int
An Interview with Emre Dayıoğlu-a Folk Musician and a Teacher
Folk music may sound old to some people, TWO INSTRUMENTS, ONE CULTURE students are about folk music. Through a
but for Emre Dayıoğlu, it is very much I often carry both the bağlama and the social media project, I donated bağlamas
alive. From village roads to school halls, he üçtelli. The bağlama is the best-known to over 100 children. Seeing students start
carries Anatolia’s stories with his bağlama instrument of Turkish folk music and to play these instruments with excitement
and üçtelli. We spoke to him about his reflects the shared spirit of Anatolia. On showed me the power of music.
journey, his music, and why folk songs still the other hand, the üçtelli is a regional IS FOLK MUSIC STILL COOL?
matter today. instrument from the bağlama family,
A CHILDHOOD FULL OF MUSIC especially common in the Teke region. It Some young people think folk music is
has three single strings and produces a old-fashioned. I understand this, but once
Folk music entered my life when I was very they truly listen to it or find an artist they
young. My family listened to it all the clear, simple sound connected to village life. like, their opinion often changes. Not
time; at home, in the car, and during everyone needs to play an instrument,
everyday moments. When I got my first but getting to know the bağlama or the
bağlama in primary school, I felt incredibly üçtelli helps young people feel the spirit
happy. From that day on, the instrument of folk music more deeply.
became part of me. Even as a child, I knew
that folk music would always be important
in my life.

When I play these instruments in villages,
I connect easily with local musicians,
especially elders. We learn from each
other through the master–apprentice
tradition. In this way, music becomes a
bridge between generations.
TRADITION MEETS THE PRESENT LESSONS FROM FOLK SONGS
I once thought Anatolian music culture
In my album Heybemdeki Türküler, I bring
LEARNING FROM VILLAGES AND together traditional folk songs and my was limited, but travelling showed me how
rich and diverse it really is. My classroom
PEOPLE own compositions. Folk music, for me, was Anatolia, and my teachers were the
is always growing and changing. My new
I travelled across many regions of Türkiye pieces are inspired by villages and nature, people in the villages. I learnt their music,
to collect folk songs that had been so they naturally blend with traditional listened to their stories, and shared their
almost forgotten. Every journey touched melodies. This balance allows folk music to lives. Through this, I realised that folk
me deeply. Every song told a story of move from the past into the future. music is not just about melodies—it is a
Anatolia—of the land, of its people, of its powerful way of telling human stories.
history. Learning these songs directly from MUSIC IN SCHOOLS, MUSIC IN HEARTS FINAL THOUGHT
villagers helped me understand Turkish Giving concerts at schools has been
culture in a real and meaningful way—and one of the happiest parts of my life. I Folk music is not only about the past. When
this learning continues today. can clearly see how curious and excited young people listen to it, play it, or feel its
stories, it becomes part of their future.
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