Saz semai
The saz semai is an instrumental form in Ottoman classical music. It was typically the closing movement of a fasıl. The saz semai is metered and typically uses the usul called aksak semai.
A saz semai is typically in 4 movements, called hane, each movement followed by a teslim.
The teslim and the first three hane are usually in rhythm structure 10/8, unlike the fourth hane which is usually in 6/4, 3/4, or 6/8.
Common Saz Semaisi
Some Saz Semaisi are very well-known and played in the all makam music area.Here a few of them :
- Semâi al Thakil - also called : Arap saz semai. This samai is in makam Bayati.
- Semâi Al-Aryan - also called : Samâi Bayati.
- Semâi Shad Araban - Sed-i-Araban Saz Semaisi. Composed by Tanburi Cemil Bey.
- Semâi Husseyni. Composed by Tatyos Efendi.
- Semâi Nahawand - Nihavend Saz Semaisi. Composed by the son of Tanburi Cemil Bey : Mesut Cemil.
Saz Semai's Composers
- Tanburi Cemil Bey was a noted composer of saz semai.
- Ismail Hakki Bey
- Misirli Ibrahim Effendi