The Mevlevi ayin stands at the heart of Turkish religious music. The flow of the four selâms, the progression of the makam, and the order of the usûl generate meaning within the semâ gathering; breath and silence unite with the timbre of the instruments, and the language of worship emerges. Instrumental interludes carry signs within this whole; they open the path and keep memory alive. Each selâm has its own internal dramaturgy and establishes continuity from the opening to the moments of resolution.

This course examines the structure of the âyin-i şerîf through a clear framework: the function of the selâms, the main makam transitions, the usûl pattern, cadence points, and principles of performance discipline. The roles of the ney, kudüm, tanbur, and kanun, as well as their interplay, are demonstrated through sample recordings and references to treatises. The principles of breath discipline and phrasing within the meşk tradition are explained through concrete examples. Short listening guides are provided for each selâm, and key transitions and cadence markers are clarified through guided listening.

Participants will gain a “listening map” that enables them to follow an ayin from beginning to end and to see clearly how Mevlevi ayins carry the tradition forward. In this way, they will hear the threshold where form and intention meet and learn to recognize the signs that bear the memory of the tradition. While preserving the continuity of the repertoire, the Mevlevi ayin also offers a ground that remains open to renewal in contemporary performance.