About this course
We are presenting an online course dealing with the therapy system of Dr. Rahmi Oruç Güvenç. The project is called “Online Music Therapy Course” and is lectured by Michael Bachmeier-Ekşi, following the three volumes of his book “Turkish Music Therapy”.
The plan is to work our way slowly through the books to deepen our knowledge and abilities in the subject of makam music and makam therapy. Practical instrumental and vocal exercising is intended.
There will be weekly zoom-sessions on Wednesdays 20.30 – 22.00 European time, starting 5th August. The price is 15 Euro per session. The first module includes 6 sessions. Complete modules are to be booked.
More information about this course
Bachmaier-Ekşi studied music therapy with Dr Rahmi Oruç Güvenç since 2000. The healing practice of Oruç Güvenç inspired him to analyse the medical and musical references Oruç Güvenç used in his work. His scientific interest focuses on the transcultural roots of makam music, Ibn Sina Medicine as the medical basis of makam therapy and the use of makam music in natural medicine. He makes this knowledge available in textbooks. He teaches the basics of makam theory and therapy in workshops, also in our Makam Camps.
Course Structure
- The course is presented in 1.5 hour online Zoom sessions, once a week.
- The course is organised in modules. Each module will last 3-8 sessions, therefore 3-8 weeks.
- The participants will register to modules. Not the whole course, nor a single session.
- The course will be supported by practicing, playing and spending time physically together.
Each session will be;
- 10 minutes entry phase.
- 60 min. lecture and workshop / exercises
- 20 min. discussion
Course language
The course will be presented in English with Turkish translation. Whenever possible, we will try to make brief summaries in German in the chat area.
What you will learn
- The transcultural roots of tonalities
- The structure and melodic design of makams
- Makam modulations and their medical effects
- Analysis of Oruç Güvenç improvisations
- Ibn Sina diagnosis to select suitable makams for therapy
- Ibn Sina remedies to support the makam effects.
Program
The list is meant to give a general idea about what to expect from the course. Please note that, this is a work in progress and the program might be subject to changes.
The main titles are healing by sound, music and medicine, the basics of makam music, constructing makam scales and makam rast.
Details of the program
Module 1
Healing by Sound
The ancient Greek tone systems that prepared Turkish Makam Therapy Music
6 sessions. August 5 – September 9, 2020
Module 2
Melody Patterns in Gregorian Chant and Makam Music
How to structure and practice melodies in modal musical systems
6 sessions. October 22th – November 26th, 2020
Module 3
The Tone Systems of al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina and al-Urmawi
4 sessions
Module 4
Music and Medicine
The historical medico-musical sources of Turkish Makam Therapy.
5 sessions. March 11 – April 8, 2021
Module 5
The Basics of Makam Music
Tones, notation, intervals, accidentals, pitch names, tuning
5 Sessions. June 17 – July 15, 2021
Module 6
The Principles of Makam Design
Functional tones, scales, orientation, extensions, melodic progression, stereotyped motives, modulations
4 sessions. September 30 – November 11, 2021
Module 7
Constructing Makam Scales
Tetrachords and pentachords, extensions
4 sessions
Module 8
Makam Rast
Structure, melodic progression, modulations, typical improvisation motives, the improvisation of Dr Rahmi Oruç Güvenç, Ibn Sina diagnosis selecting Rast, medical use in prevention and therapy, Rast as component of complex natural medicine.
8 sessions
Module 9 –
Further makams individually presented.
Instructor: Dr med Michael Bachmaier-Ekşi
Dr. Michael Bachmaier-Ekşi is a specialist in general medicine, natural remedies, acupuncture and geriatrics. He was born in Mainburg, Germany in 1962 and studied medicine in Berlin. From 1996 to 1997 he worked at the German Hospital in Istanbul. There he met Dr R. Oruç Güvenç who then directed music therapy sessions at the Istanbul State Psychiatry Bakırköy. Since 2000 he joint the music seminars of Oruç Güvenç in Berlin.
Books by Dr Michael Bachmaier-Ekşi
Who can take this course?
Although a lot of the material presented in this course will be accessible by everyone, to make the best use of this course if you;
- can read notes
- have some musical knowledge
- have basic knowledge of Turkish music
- can play an instrument (or sing) well enough to complete the exercises
Price
The price will be charged per module and the participants will register to modules. So if for some reason you do not want to take a certain module, you can skip it and not pay for it.
The price is 15 euro per session. So the price of a module will be:
15 euro x number of sessions of module
Register
To register for the course, please fill the form below: