Tumata - Music Therapy

Music Therapy

Turkish music and movement therapy tradition

According to the view of experts who have done research on music; music existed before language. Abstract concepts, memory, symbols, associations, analogical relations necessary for conversation and speech have evolved and matured with humanity. Together with this, there is in every particle in nature, a unity of melody and rhythm which continues with great order and harmony. In the harmony and rhythm perfection of bird sounds, in the movement of atoms, electrons and galaxies and in the amplified sounds of the fluids of our body, we can observe the relation and association of music with the created world at large.

Music and music therapy history understanding of the present world, directs us to colloborate with sciences like anthropology, history, ethnotherapy, ethnomedicine, psychology, pedagogy, sociology, spirituality and parapsychology.

When we enter the subject through the scope of history, we have to venture into very ancient times.

The dancing figures in the Gobustan rocks in Azerbaijan, presents us with a reality of music and dance which dates back at least 12 to 14 thousand years. Mingyar rock drawings on the banks of river Mulche which is near the Hoten City's administrative subdivision of Cherchen belonging to the Uigur Turks, dates back 6 to 8 thousand years. When we observe the disposition of history and culture accumulation which transmits us to very ancient times through the scope of Proto-Turkish culture, the findings of German scientist Dr. Wolfram become important and these findings document the effect of Turkish culture on Chinese culture in the areas of music, dance, ceramics, theatre and taming animals in the 3rd millenium BC. According to the findings of French researcher Maurice Curan which are based on Chinese sources, published in the Lavinniac Music Encyclopedia, ancient Turkish musical enstruments and pentatonic musical performance affected Chinese culture deeply.

Researchers like Eduard Chavannes, Bela Bartok, Robert Lach, Ahmed Adnan Saygun , Ferruh Arsunar and great Turkish ethnomusicolog Mahmut Ragip Gazimihal, have made important studies in this area and have documented the effects of Turkish music culture on Chinese culture, and its Central Asia-Anatolia connection. According to these studies, the important epicenters of proto-Turkish culture are Sensi and Kansu provinces. Hakas-Tuva culture and Altai-Turkish culture send us back to the 3rd millenium BC. In the beginning of the 20th century, Soviet researchers Rudenko and Griaznov, discovered a musical instrument called 'Cheng' under the ice of Pazirik valley in Altai region. According to Rudenko the proto-Turkish culture which the instrument belongs to, dates back 3700 years.

Tumata (The Group for the Research and Promotion of Turkish Music)

TUMATA was founded in 1976 by Asst. Prof. Dr. Rahmi Oruç Güvenç, to research and promote, the birth and development of Turkish music, its repertory and its richness in instruments. After its activities in liaison with University of Istanbul Ethnomusicology Research and Application center between 1991 and 1995, it continued its activities as Marmara University Turkic World Research and Promotion Unit at Turkic Research Institute.

The repertory, musical performance style and types, dances, costumes and decorations, social, cultural and pedagogical sources of Turkish music which is said to have a history of six thousand years, and application material of music therapy which was rediscovered by modern medicine comprise the general activities of TUMATA. To serve this purpose, 6 centers have been founded in Mannheim, Munich, Berlin, Zurich, Madrid and Barcelona and apart from these, in Rosenau-Austria a school which trains music therapist was inaugurated and the first graduates received their diplomas after performing in a concert at the Sultan Bajezid II Hospital in Edirne in 1995.

Magister and doctor Gerhard Kadir Tucek is taking care of European affairs and school-education efforts and the general coordination of concerts and seminars since 1986. In 1989 Ethnomusicology Foundation was founded in Vienne. In 1989 a programme to establish a school was started. In 1999 Institute of Ethnomusicology was founded by G. Kadir Tucek and in Rosenau, Zurich, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin and Mannheim, music therapy education programmes are continuing in association with this Institute.

The clinical connection of these programmes date back to 1993. The oldest project and application programmes which began in Meidling Clinic in Vienne in the field of neurology have been completed. Apart from these, research on cardiology - since 2000 - and research on nncology - since 2001 - are being implemented. Also, research programmes relating to the disabled have been continuing since 1993. Projects on geriatrics and immunology are also continuing.

TUMATA ensemble is determined to perpetuate and analyze Turkish music in detail wherever Turks live, with the belief that Turkish music shows continuity and integrity in historical and geographical aspects. Over three hundred musical instruments have been collected and a museum has been formed for this purpose.

The rich values of Turkish music are being gathered by record, cassette, video, notation and archive activities and with an ensemble of over thirty members, ethnomusicology concerts are given to enthusiasts and scientific and artistic communities. Symposia, seminars and festivals are also TUMATAs activity areas. In the recent years many seminars, 2 festivals and 3 symposia were organized in liaison with the school in Austria in different countries. In 1997 an education protocol was signed between Munich University of Music, Austria Rosenau Music Therapy School and TUMATA.

At the aforementioned symposia and festivals, Turkish music was considered in relation to Ethnomusicology and Modern Medicine and laboratory findings which have been evaluated by parameters like EEG, EKG and galvanometer were brought forward and the healing value of Turkish music was accepted in these symposia in relation to areas of pedagogy, physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The efforts and ideals of TUMATA are being announced to the public in Turkey and abroad by radio, TV programs and different press organs.

Source: tumata.com

Share Editor: nihavend | Posted: 2012/05/14 | Views: 15435

Tag: tumata, music therapy, meditation, turkish music, baksi dance, archetypal, pentatonic, receptive, image music, turkish makams and their effects

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