The ?Hafif usul? and the Composition Samples in Written Sources

Abstract

This article focused on historical development of the ?hafif usul?, used in Turkish modal music, in written sources. The aim of the study is to contribute the researches about ?usul?s which are less analysed in comparison to ?makam? and genre studies. The ?usul?s named as ?hafif? are examined in written sources, chronologically classified and its notation is schematized from past to present. In this way, the research tries to compare the rhythmic models to define ?hafif usul? in different periods. Lastly, the study research is finalized by giving some examples that are composed in ?hafif usul?.