Advanced Journal of Management, Humanity and Social Science

Structural Analysis of Indigenous Music of Gilan; Proposing a Graphical Model for the Study of Modal Relationships in Selected Pieces

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Mohammad Amin Vosough

Department of Art Research, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Art, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.5281/zenodo.21825920
Abstract
The indigenous music of Gilan, as part of the musical heritage of northern Iran, possesses extensive structural, modal, and functional diversity. This research, adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, examines the typology of Gilan's indigenous music and conducts a structural analysis of several selected pieces from various regions of this province. In this study, alongside a brief introduction to the cultural and ritual context of Gilani music, several vocal and instrumental pieces from mountainous and lowland areas are selected and analyzed in terms of modal structure, rhythm, meter, tempo, and form. Furthermore, a graphical model is proposed for representing modal relationships and the role of central pitches within the melodic structure, which, through the use of color, melodic space, and motion density, enables comparative study of the pieces. The results indicate that the biological and cultural differences between the mountainous and lowland regions of Gilan are reflected in the melodic structure, internal tempo, and rhythmic behavior of the pieces. Pieces from mountainous regions generally exhibit greater melodic motion, higher internal tempo, and greater temporal density, whereas pieces from lowland regions display longer durations, relative stasis, and slower tempos.

Graphical Abstract

Structural Analysis of Indigenous Music of Gilan; Proposing a Graphical Model for the Study of Modal Relationships in Selected Pieces

Keywords

Gilani Music
Ethnomusicology
Modal Analysis
Regional Music of Iran
Formal Analysis
Ritual Music
Subjects
1.       Bromberger, C. (2007). About the folklore of Gilan (A. Hampartian, Trans.). Najvā-ye Farhang, (5 & 6).
2.       Pourreza, F., Mohsenpour, A., Ashrafi, J. (1990). Local music of Gilan. Honar va Me'māri, (11 & 12), pp. 361-366.
3.       Faridi Haftkhani, A. (2007). Regional music of Iran Music of Gilan Disc 2 (16). Tehran: Māhur Institute of Culture and Art.
4.       Pourreza, F., & Hamidi, H. (2009). Āvāhā-ye Gil o Deylam (Sounds of Gil and Deylam). Tehran: Māhur Institute of Culture and Art.
5.       Itten, J. (1999). The art of color (A. Sharvah, Trans.). Tehran: Yasavoli Publications.
6.       Azādefar, M. R. (2021). Melodic structure in Iranian music. Tehran: Markaz Publishing.
7.       Vosough, M. A. (2021). Personal interview with A. Rafiei.
Advanced Journal of Management, Humanity and Social Science
Volume 2, Issue 2
March and April 2026
Pages 175-181

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