Makams and Their Effects
It has been believed for nearly a thousand years that the modes of Turkish music have physical, psychological, and emotional effects on people. The relationships between the modes and emotions, organs, planets, zodiac signs, the four elements, and the four humors, have been categorized by scholars such as al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Abu Bakr al-Razi, Hasan Shuuri, Hekimbaşı Gevrekzade Hafiz Hasan Efendi, and Haşim Bey.
Based on information compiled from these classifications, the main modes used in music therapy and their effects are as follows:
You can listen to all the song samples on Spotify by clicking on the cover art.
Information About TÜMATA’s “Music Therapy” CDs:
The rhythm used in the “Music and Health Series—Receptive, Meditative Music Therapy CDs,” produced by Tümata, is the “velveleli yürük semai” rhythm, known for its similarity to the heartbeat.
The instruments we use on our music therapy CDs, aside from the Segah mode, include the rey, rebab, kopuz (ud), and dombra, as well as the sound of water. In the Segah mode, the çeng has been added.
The rhythms and instruments used in traditional music therapy practices are not limited to the examples mentioned above. Our music is incredibly rich and diverse.
There are also various instruments and rhythms used in the Central Asian and Turkish traditions of music and movement therapy. Examples of these practices are demonstrated in TÜMATA sessions.
06.06.2026
Acemaşiran Mode
Fire is its nature. It is a dry-hot mode. It is effective from dawn until mid-morning. It affects the bones and the brain. It helps maintain the body’s fat balance. It fosters a sense of creativity and provides inspiration. It revitalizes stagnant thoughts and emotions. It facilitates childbirth in women. It helps correct misalignments in the fetus within the womb. It has pain-relieving and spasm-relieving properties. It enhances enjoyment and promotes relaxation. It is one of the oldest shadd modes.
Buselik Mode
Capricorn (Sagittarius). Saturn, Jupiter. Earth-Fire element. It has a hot-dry nature. Its influence is strongest in the afternoon (late afternoon). It is associated with yellow bile, daytime, and masculinity. It affects blood circulation, the abdominal region, the hips, thighs, and legs. It is beneficial for stiffness, lower back pain, and blood pressure issues. It imparts a sense of strength and peace. There is significant evidence that it is effective against mental illnesses. It is one of the oldest modes. It is said to derive from the word “ebu-selik,” which signifies the ability to write and speak beautifully.
Rast Mode
The Rast mode is one of the four primary modes with significant therapeutic value. It affects the head and eyes, as well as the “cold” organs—the bones, brain, and fat—and the muscles. It brings joy, happiness, inner peace, and comfort.
It is beneficial for mental illnesses. It is a remedy for stroke. It helps raise a low pulse rate. Since dampness tends to prevail in children’s constitutions, it corrects the imbalances caused by this. It prevents excessive sleep. Due to its antispasmodic properties, it is beneficial in the treatment of patients with spasticity and autism.
It is associated with the sign of Aries. It is of a fiery, dry-hot nature. It is also associated with the sign of Capricorn and with water. It is linked to the planet Mars. It is associated with yellow bile. It exhibits masculine characteristics.
It is most effective at midnight and at dawn. Its effect is strongest during the day and especially on Tuesdays.
It is one of the oldest musical modes. In Persian, it means “correct,” “straight,” “right,” and “true.”
Rehavi Mode
Libra. Air sign. Hot and dry. It is most effective at dawn and between afternoon and evening. Leo is associated with the Sun and Sunday. It is beneficial for conditions related to dampness and dryness, yellow bile, men, the right shoulder, headaches, nosebleeds, a crooked mouth, and phlegm-related ailments, as well as for those with mental illness. It aids in childbirth. It is beneficial for the chest, stomach, and flanks (hips). It imparts a sense of infinity and liberation from gravity. “Urfalı” means “belonging to Urfa.” It has a history dating back to before the 10th century. It is frequently mentioned in the works of Ibn Sina and Evliya Çelebi. Later on, the Rast mode replaced the Rehavi mode. Its other name is Ruhavi.
Hüseyni Mode
Scorpio (Aquarius). It is a water sign. Saturn exerts its influence. Moist and warm. It is most effective in the morning and at dawn. Its influence is strongest between morning and noon. Saturday is a special day. It bestows beauty, goodness, tranquility, and comfort, and has a refreshing quality. It extinguishes and eliminates inflammation of the liver, heart, and spirits. It has a cooling effect on stomach heat. It is beneficial in relieving the hidden feverish episodes seen in adult men and the feverish episodes that occur once a day. It affects the left shoulder. It is beneficial for malaria. It instills a sense of peace. It affects the internal organs. It connects one with nature. Due to its inherent, hidden pentatonic structure, it instills a sense of self-confidence and determination; for this reason, it is beneficial for patients with autism and spasticity. It is one of the oldest modes. It is at least six centuries old. It has a noble expression. It is beneficial for the heart, liver, and stomach. It means “little beloved” and “related to Hüseyin.”
Hicaz Mode
Sagittarius. A fire sign. It exhibits warm qualities. It is associated with Jupiter. Its influence is strongest from evening until morning. It is beneficial for illnesses caused by dryness and cold. It has a healing effect on the bones, the brain, and childhood illnesses. It has a particularly strong effect on the urogenital system and the kidneys. The chest region is another important area of influence. It raises a low pulse rate. It instills a sense of humility. It is one of the oldest modes. It is closely related to the Zengüle and Zirgüle modes. It takes its name from the Hijaz region of Arabia.
Nihavent Mode
Capricorn (Sagittarius). Saturn, Jupiter. Earth-Fire element. It has a hot-dry nature. Its influence is strongest in the afternoon. It is associated with yellow bile, daytime, and men. It affects blood circulation, the abdominal region, the hips, thighs, and legs. It is beneficial for neck stiffness, lower back pain, and blood pressure issues. It imparts strength and a sense of peace. There is significant information regarding its effectiveness against mental illnesses (see the Buselik mode).
Uşşak Mode
Pisces. Water element. Cold and moist. Jupiter. Its influence is strongest from dawn until mid-morning, at sunset, and on Thursdays. It is associated with white phlegm, nighttime, and the female. It is beneficial for heart conditions, foot ailments, and gout (gouty) pains. It instills feelings of laughter, joy, strength, and heroism. It is beneficial for foot pains seen in adult men and during dry, hot winds that affect all of a child’s organs. It is a means of expressing deep love and mystical feelings. It is one of the oldest maqams. It means “Lovers.” It is beneficial for sleep and rest, and it provides a sense of relaxation.
Saba Mode
It instills bravery, courage, strength, and peace of mind. It is most effective at dawn.
Isfahan Mode
Gemini (Cancer). Associated with the element of air, it is effective between late afternoon and nightfall. It is also associated with water. It is cold and moist, linked to white phlegm, feminine qualities, nighttime, and Monday. Its cold nature is traditionally considered protective against febrile illnesses. It is associated with effects on the nape, neck, shoulders, and left elbow. It promotes a sense of security, adaptability, mobility, mental clarity, renewal of the spirit, orderliness, intellectual alertness, and refreshed memories. This makam has a history of at least seven centuries.
Neva Mode
Aquarius (Capricorn); Saturn. It is an air sign and exhibits dry-cold qualities. It is associated with black bile. It exhibits feminine qualities. Its influence is strongest at night and from dawn until mid-afternoon. It affects the right side of the chest, the kidneys, the spinal cord, the hips, and the thighs. It dispels sorrow and brings pleasure. It is known as the “heart-soothing” mode. It is said to dispel negative thoughts, instill courage and bravery, and bring joy to the heart. It evokes feelings of strength and heroism. It is beneficial in the treatment of mental illnesses. It is one of the oldest modes. It has a therapeutic effect on gynecological ailments in adolescent girls. It means “voice, sound, mode, and harmony.”
Irak Makam
Taurus: It is associated with Venus. It is an earth sign. It is most influential during the morning and afternoon hours. It has a dry-cold character. It is associated with black bile. Its character is feminine, and its influence is strongest on Fridays and at night. It is beneficial for meningitis, brain disorders, and mental illnesses. It affects the shoulders, arms, left arm, and hands. Its influence on the top of the head is noted. It enhances the sense of taste and influences thinking and comprehension. It alleviates fear. It has an effect that prevents aggression and treats neurotic patients. It dates back at least seven centuries. Its spiritual influence is evident. It originates from Iraq-i Acem.
Büzürk Mode
Leo. Fire, Sun. It has a cold and hot-dry nature. Its influence extends from dawn until mid-morning. It is associated with black bile, the female principle, and the night, and is linked to the planet Mercury and Wednesday. It clears the mind and dispels anxiety and fear. It guides the mind. It is beneficial for severe illnesses resulting from neck stiffness and brain damage. It bestows strength. It is effective for the neck, throat, chest, lungs, heart, and lower back (flanks). In Persian, it means “great.” It is a mode dating back seven to eight centuries.
Zengüle Mode
Virgo (Libra). Influenced by Venus. Earthy in nature, warm, and moist. Most active after sunset. Associated with the air element. Linked to blood, men, daytime, and Fridays. It is associated with the hip joints and the inner thighs. It affects heart diseases, meningitis, and brain disorders. It eliminates stomach and liver heat for the treatment of brain and mental disorders. It originated as a separate mode from the Hijaz mode before the 13th century. It evokes imagination and secrets, induces sleep, and creates a fairy-tale-like feeling. In Persian, it means “bell, tambourine, or chime.” In Iranian mythology, it is the name of a Turkic hero.
Zirefkend Mode
Cancer. Mercury. Water element. Effective at bedtime. Has warm and moist properties. Associated with blood, men, and daytime; its day is Wednesday. Beneficial for back and joint pain, as well as earaches. It affects brain-related facial paralysis, as well as the heart, lungs, chest, hips, and right shoulder. It enhances the joy of the assembly and evokes a sense of deep emotion. In Persian, it means “bed.” It dates back to before the 13th century.