taksimi

Taksim, and its performance form taksimi, is the instrumental improvisation in Turkish classical music. The term traces to the Turkish word taqsīm, itself derived from Arabic, and it denotes free-form exploration within a makam, the modal framework of Turkish music. A taksim is not a fixed composition; it is an improvised stretch that reveals the musician’s command of scale, ornament, and mood.

In practice, taksim is usually performed as a solo piece, though it can occur within an ensemble. It is commonly played on instruments capable of microtonal inflection, such as the ney (reed flute), oud (lute), kanun (zither), violin, or clarinet, and sometimes accompanied by a frame drum or other percussion. The performance style emphasizes expressive bending of pitches, trills, and other ornaments that articulate the makam’s microtonal character.

A typical taksim begins in a slow, expansive manner, with unmetered phrases that establish the makam and mood. The musician gradually explores its scale, motifs, and emotional textures, often moving through several related scales or tunings within the same makam before concluding. The tempo can range from free and contemplative to increasingly energetic, and the taksim usually ends by signaling a transition to a composed piece or vocal section, such as a peşrev or a vocal suite.

Culturally, taksim is a central feature of Ottoman-era and Turkish classical performance, valued for showcasing technical mastery and expressive depth. Similar improvisational practices appear in related traditions in the region, reflecting a shared emphasis on melodic exploration within modal systems.