Mehter

Ülkücü şarkılar ("songs of the Ülkücü movement") are Turkish nationalist anthems and songs associated with the Grey Wolves (Ülkü Ocakları) and the broader Ülkücü/MHP current. Musically, they blend Turkish folk (bağlama/saz timbres and modal melodies) with march-like rhythms, anthemic choruses, and elements of arabesk and folk‑rock. The songs often feature male choral call‑and‑response, strong snare‑drum backbeats, and soaring, melismatic vocals. Lyrically, they glorify the homeland, martyrs (şehitler), the flag, pan‑Turkic/Turanist ideals, and moral virtues such as courage, sacrifice, and solidarity. The overall affect ranges from solemn and martial to rousing and celebratory, designed for rallies, commemorations, and movement gatherings.

Oyun havası (literally “dance tune”) is a broad Turkish term for lively, groove‑driven pieces played for social dancing at weddings and festive gatherings. It is most closely associated with clarinet‑led urban/Thracian (Rumeli) and Turkish Roma (Roman) ensembles, as well as rural zurna–davul bands. Typical meters include the asymmetrical 9/8 “aksak” (especially the karşılama groupings 2+2+2+3), alongside 2/4 or 4/4 çiftetelli and occasional 6/8. Melodies often follow the makam (modal) system, with ornamented, vocal‑like phrasing and exuberant percussion patterns that keep dancers moving. Instrumentation commonly features clarinet, davul (bass drum), darbuka/tef (frame drum/riq), zurna, violin, kanun, ud, cümbüş, and bağlama. In urban settings, taksim (improvised preludes) may introduce the tune before the main dance sections. The overall feel is festive, flirtatious, and highly rhythmic, encouraging call‑and‑response energy between musicians and dancers.