Bayati

Bayati is a term used across several musical traditions to designate a mode or family of modes. In Middle Eastern and surrounding classical musics, Bayati (Bayâtī) appears as a prominent melodic framework and is also reflected in related Turkish, Persian, and Azerbaijani modal systems, where variants share a common melodic character while preserving local coloring and ornamentation.

In Arabic music, Bayati is one of the well-known maqamat, valued for its bright, lyrical quality and its versatility in both vocal and instrumental repertoire. Performances typically establish a tonic center and explore characteristic melodic phrases and cadences that define the mode, allowing for elaborate improvisation (taqsim) and composed songs alike. The mode is commonly used in traditional songs, religious chants, and contemporary Arab pop, mirroring its broad appeal.

In Turkish classical music, a related makam Bayati (Bayâtī) also appears, with its own customary phrases, motifs, and cadential patterns. It is often juxtaposed with neighboring makams such as Rast and Hijaz to create expressive contrast within a piece. Persian and Azerbaijani music refer to Bayat or Bayat variants within their own modal systems, including forms like Bayat-e Esfahan or Bayat-e Kurd, which function as distinct but related scales used in folk and classical pieces.

Overall, Bayati serves as a flexible and widely used mode across cultures, valued for its expressive potential and adaptability to a broad range of genres, from traditional courtly and religious music to modern popular and film scores.