Our Courses
Kanun Courses
From your first notes to advanced performance — structured courses taught by Asst. Prof. Dr. Serkan Günalçin
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
New to music? We strongly recommend taking Turkish Makam Music Theory I & II alongside your Kanun lessons. It will make your learning significantly faster and more rewarding.
Kanun Course
The kanun is one of the most distinctive and beautiful instruments in Turkish Makam Music — a plucked zither with a rich, resonant sound capable of extraordinary expressiveness. Our structured course programme takes you step by step from complete beginner through to upper intermediate level, using carefully developed materials by Dr. Serkan Günalçin. All courses are available online or in-person, individually or in small groups of up to 5 students.
KANUN
Level 1
Kanun Beginners
No experience needed — learn the fundamentals of kanun performance
This course is designed for students with no previous kanun experience, or those who have only just started playing. The aim is to develop basic kanun performing techniques through systematic and regularly repeated exercises and initial works prepared by Dr. Serkan Günalçin.
By the end of this course students will have built a solid technical foundation — the essential starting point for all further kanun study.
WHO CAN JOIN:
Students must attend with their own kanun. If you do not yet own one, your instructor will carefully guide you to find a suitable instrument.
KANUN
Level 2
Kanun Upper Beginners
Discover intonation, maqam and usul — the building blocks of Turkish Makam Music
The Upper Beginners course opens the door to the deeper world of Turkish Makam Music. It begins with intonation studies on the kanun, learning to use the metal levers called "mandal" — a technique unique to the kanun that allows fine intonation adjustments essential for playing in different maqams.
This course also introduces maqam and usul — the two main elements of Turkish Makam Music. By the end, students will be able to perform initial works of Turkish Makam Music with correct intonation.
WHO CAN JOIN:
To enrol you must have either: Completed the Kanun Beginners course, or demonstrated a basic technical level — assessed by your instructor.
Students must attend with their own kanun. If you do not yet own one, your instructor will carefully guide you to find a suitable instrument.
KANUN
Level 3
Kanun Intermediate
Develop ornamental techniques and expand your maqam repertoire
The Intermediate course takes your kanun playing to a new level of musical expression. The focus shifts to ornamental and performance techniques — the details that bring Turkish Makam Music to life. Students also expand their knowledge of intonation possibilities, enabling them to perform full-form Turkish Makam Music works across a wider range of maqams.
By the end of this course students will be able to perform complete Turkish Makam Music works composed in whole forms and across multiple maqams.
WHO CAN JOIN:
To enrol you must have either: Completed the Kanun Upper Beginners course, or demonstrated a sufficient basic technical level — assessed by your instructor.
Students must attend with their own kanun.
KANUN
Level 4
Kanun Upper Intermediate
Develop your own style and master the art of transposition
The Upper Intermediate course is designed for students who have gained sufficient ability in performance and learned enough about Turkish Makam Music theory and performance practice to take their playing to the highest independent level.
This course focuses on two of the most advanced and valuable skills a makam music performer can possess — playing with a personal, distinctive style and maintaining correct intonation across all maqams and transpositions. Students will study various kanun playing styles and master transposition techniques.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to perform with their own individual style and precise intonation — the most important qualities a Turkish Makam Music performer can have.
WHO CAN JOIN:
To enrol you must have either: Completed the Kanun Intermediate course, or demonstrated a sufficient upper intermediate level — assessed by your instructor.
Students must attend with their own kanun.
ONLINE vs IN-PERSON NOTE
All Kanun courses are available both online and face to face. Each course can be taken: Once a week as the standard schedule.
One-on-one for faster individual progress
In a group of up to 5 students for a more collaborative experience
Course Details
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
If you are unsure which level is right for you, contact us and Dr. Serkan Günalçin will assess your current level and recommend the best starting point.