Meshk: As a Tradational Method of Turkish Music Education

Abstract

Education of traditional fine arts like Calligraphy, Decorative arts, Qıraat (Reading Quran), especially Music was performed by the method of Meshk. As a correlative method of teaching realized by teacher and pupil, Vocal training, saving of verbal and instrumental repertoire together with transferring from generation to next had been achieved by this method. Until the first quarter of 19th century, education of Turkish Music was based on this method. Later on Meshk has been practiced partially in some music institutions such as conservatories ect. established by Westernize influence. The most important advantage of meshk method for student is learning by his teacher's style and characteristic and then carrying on a song, instrument or a performing type of music how his teacher instructed. In this presentation, practicing of meshk method, its types, pre-qualifications of the student to be acceptable for education, its duration, location and institution to exercise, qualifications of teacher to make meshk, positive and negative aspects of this method will be mentioned.