Makam Zirgüleli Hicaz

Zirgüleli Hicaz is a compound makam distinguished by an unusual feature: two augmented seconds within its scale — one in the lower tetrachord and one in the upper. This double dose of the most characteristic interval in Turkish music creates a chromatic intensity that sets this makam apart.

Structure

Attested Zirgüleli Hicaz combines:

• Lower region: Zirgüle tetrachord (containing an augmented second)
• Upper region: Hicaz tetrachord (containing a second augmented second)
• Karar: Rast (in standard descriptions)
• Güçlü: Neva
• Seyir: Çıkıcı (ascending)

Attested The presence of two augmented seconds gives the makam a quality sometimes described as "doubly chromatic." Where most Hicaz-family makams feature one augmented second as their signature interval, Zirgüleli Hicaz doubles this effect, producing an intensity that can feel almost excessive to ears trained on simpler makams.

Character

Practice Zirgüleli Hicaz is used sparingly in the repertoire, precisely because its double augmented second creates an emotional intensity that is difficult to sustain through a long piece. It is more often heard in shorter passages or as a modulation target from related makams than as the home makam of an entire composition.

Practice For students, Zirgüleli Hicaz is significant as an example of how compound makams can combine familiar elements (here, two instances of the Hicaz augmented second) to produce something qualitatively different from either component alone.

Where to go from here

The parent family: Hicaz. Other augmented-second makams: Hüzzam, Nikriz. Classification: Simple, Transposed, and Compound Makams.