Traditional / experimental practice
The makam and darüşşifa tradition: what is known?
A traditional or spiritual practice, not a scientific claim.
What is a makam?
In Turkish music, a makam is a system that describes a melodic scale together with how to move through it (seyir), where to come to rest (karar) and which pitch to emphasise (güçlü). The twelve modes of Safi al-Din al-Urmawi in the 13th century are an early systematisation of this tradition; in that system the twelve modes were matched to the twelve zodiac signs and the four branches to the four elements.
Ottoman sources
The link between makam and body is said to go back to al-Farabi. Ottoman physicians such as Şuuri Hasan Efendi and Gevrekzade Hasan Efendi wrote works on the effects of makams on emotions. According to Adnan Çoban, a psychiatrist and performer of classical Turkish music, this information has not gone beyond being historical knowledge.
The Bayezid II Darüşşifa in Edirne
The darüşşifa (hospital) of the Bayezid II Complex in Edirne is remembered for experimental practices such as music and occupation alongside the traditional medicine of the period. Since 1997 the building has been Trakya University's museum of medicine and health. The primary source for the popular stories about which makam was played at which hour is not given in this short note.
Where things stand today
There is no controlled research showing a specific effect of makams. Studies of music in general for sleep and relaxation are a separate matter and are not specific to makam. The makam sessions in Frekans Studio offer no sema, hymn or worship content; they are a secular practice of listening and learning.
What does the evidence say?
A makam is a melodic system of Turkish music; its effect on mood is a historical account, not a scientific claim.
✦ T · Traditional/spiritual practice- What do we know?
- Safi al-Din al-Urmawi's twelve modes were matched to the zodiac signs and his four branches to the four elements. Ottoman physicians such as Şuuri Hasan Efendi and Gevrekzade Hasan Efendi wrote about the effects of makams on emotions. At the Bayezid II Darüşşifa in Edirne, music is mentioned as an experimental practice alongside the traditional medicine of the period.
- What don't we know?
- These mappings are historical accounts: with no research showing their validity and reliability, they have no clinical value today. No specific effect of listening to a makam has been shown scientifically.
Evidence levels and sources come from the database; the article adds no new claims. Evidence methodology
Frequently asked questions
- Which makam is good for which mood?
- Ottoman sources contain such mappings, but they are historical accounts and have not been scientifically tested. Whether you like a makam also depends on your culture, habits and taste.
- Can you visit the Darüşşifa?
- The building in Edirne is today a museum of medicine and health under Trakya University. Check the museum's own announcements for opening hours.
Listen and try
Last updated: 3 October 2026 · This article is for information only; it is not medical advice.