The Musical Structures of Persian Music

When you go to a Persian music performance, you’ll hear musical structures that repeat in every show. These traditional structures are adapted to build and create interest in the performance. Different structures fit different parts of the performance.

Pishdaramad

The name means “before the opening.” You can compare this form to the European prelude. Invented in the 20th century, it consists of a piece with a defined rhythm written for a group of musicians. The Pishdaramad is played at the beginning of every traditional concert. The melody hints at tunes that will appear later in the performance. This form was created by the great tar master Darvish Khan, who wrote the first Pishdaramad for a concert in 1920. An opening piece like this can have various rhythms, but it’s usually slow-paced.

Chaharmezrab

The name means “four picks.” The exact origin of the name is unclear, but it refers to a written or improvised piece that is almost always in a symmetrical rhythm. Chaharmezrabs can be in any symmetrical rhythm, including 4/4 or 8/8, and the pace can vary from fast to medium. The Chaharmezrab is played by percussionists and other instrumentalists, often together. It showcases the virtuosity of the players. The invention of the Chaharmezrab is also attributed to Darvish Khan, as well as Habib Samaei and Abolhasan Saba. The idea is to play the Osoul (a rhythmic pattern on the main notes of the Dastgah), then move from section to section, presenting each part in a virtuosic way and returning to the Osoul.

Reng

This structure is the traditional dance of the Persian Radif. Such a piece can be improvised or pre-written. The Reng is played towards the end of the performance. Some of the famous Rengs are included in the Persian Radif collection, while others were composed later. It is played at a medium pace in a 6/8 rhythm.

Tasnif

The word Tasnif means “song.” It is a written piece performed by several musicians and singers, and it can be placed at any stage of the performance. Most Tasnifs are played in a slow 6/8 rhythm.

Glossary of Persian Music Terms:

Avaz: ‘Voice’ in Persian. Here, it means a piece without a defined rhythm.
Avazkhan: Simply means ‘singer’ or ‘Avaz singer.’
Gusheh: Means ‘corner’ or ‘angle,’ and in this context, a section within a musical piece. Combining several Gusheh in their traditional order builds the Radif or Dastgah.
Radif: The repertoire of Persian art music. The word means ‘row.’
Zarbi: A piece for percussion instruments, a rhythmic structure.

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