Ornamentations are everywhere in Persian art, including architecture, the stone carvings of ancient Persepolis, and miniature paintings; music is not an exception. This presentation will be looking at Persian ornamentations first as a basic source in tradition, followed by their integration and synthesis as a tool into the new context of contemporary music as an expanded application. More or less based on oral tradition, traditional practice of ornamenting phrases is not systematic. This presentation suggests a systematic approach to composers and improvisers, which consists of: melodic elaboration, single note, multiple notes, rhythmic elaboration, harmonic and/or modal outline. This basic layer of tradition can be broadened into a new perspective for a wide palette of ornamental components.
Golfam Khayam
