“Taksim” in Traditional Turkish Classical Music within the context of reflection of gender on instrumental performance

Improvisation skill is the sign of “mastership” for any musician regardless of the type of music he/she is involved in. Taksim, at the beginning of “fasıl” phenomenon in Traditional Turkish Classical Music, is a type of improvisation which has specific rules and forms like as in Western Art Music and jazz. Therefore, “taksim”, as an instrumental practice of which its’ performer is called “creator”, “master” and thus “musician”, is seen as a male dominated practice. This study focuses on gender differences existing in the performance of taksim practice and aims to reveal how the practice is effected by gender culture. The data regarding the research are acquired through ethnographic observations and interviews and are conceptually analyzed.