Makam Şehnaz

Şehnaz is a compound makam that combines Buselik and Hicaz elements, producing a dramatic, emotionally intense character. Its prominent augmented second and descending seyir make it one of the more immediately striking compound makams.

Structure

Attested Şehnaz combines:

• Lower region: Buselik pentachord
• Upper region: Hicaz tetrachord, providing the characteristic augmented second
• Karar: Dügâh (in standard position) or varies by source
• Güçlü: Hüseyni
• Seyir: İnici (descending)

Attested The Hicaz augmented second in the upper register gives Şehnaz its distinctive emotional intensity. Combined with the Buselik minor-inflected lower region, the makam produces a character of passionate melancholy.

Character and repertoire

Attested Şehnaz is well represented in the Ottoman repertoire, particularly in vocal compositions. Its dramatic character — the tension of the Hicaz augmented second resolving into the Buselik descent — made it a favored choice for expressing intense emotion in both şarkı and larger forms.

Practice For students, Şehnaz builds on familiarity with both Buselik (as a simple makam) and Hicaz (as a characteristic tetrachord). Understanding how the two elements interact — where the Hicaz tension appears and how the Buselik descent resolves it — is the key to performing in this makam.

Where to go from here

The Hicaz component: Hicaz. A related compound makam: Nihavend. Classification: Simple, Transposed, and Compound Makams. Melodic path: Seyir.