Notation writer
Write Turkish makam music notation with perde names: tap the perdes or type, and the score is drawn instantly with AEÜ accidentals. Listen, download as MusicXML, SVG or PDF, print.
Selected: Tap a perde to change it, or Delete to remove it.
Pick a duration, then tap a perde: the note is added and played. To fix a note, tap it on the staff.
On the keys: the perde name on top (Rast, Dügah, Kürdi…), below it the Western note name and the AEÜ accidental in commas: −1 koma flat, −4 küçük mücenneb flat, −5 bakiye flat; +1 koma sharp, +4 bakiye sharp, +5 küçük mücenneb sharp. Example: B −5 = Kürdi, F +4 = Eviç.
Other systems (outside Turkish music)
The signs in this section are not part of the AEÜ notation of Turkish makam music: the quarter tone of Arabic maqam music (24 equal divisions), Western flat and sharp, and in-between pitches with no AEÜ sign. Do not use them when writing Turkish music. The sign is applied to the last note written or to the note selected on the staff.
In text: mi-½, do+½, si-b, fa+#, re+2. mi-½ half-flat, do+½ half-sharp, si-b Western flat, fa+# Western sharp, re+2 = 2 commas higher (“+2k” is written above the note). Played at the exact pitch.
Edit as text and add lyrics
Writing rules
- Write perde names: rast, dügah, segah, çargah, neva, hüseyni… Circumflexes and Turkish letters are optional; two-word names with a hyphen: dik-kürdi, tiz-segah.
- Or letters: la, si-5 (bakiye flat), do+4 (bakiye sharp), re5 (with octave). Accidentals as AEÜ commas: −1, −4, −5, −8 flat; +1, +4, +5, +8 sharp.
- Duration after the perde: /1 /2 /4 /8 /16 /32 /64, dotted /4., double-dotted /4.. If omitted, the previous duration applies.
- Rest: es/8. Tie/slur: put ~ after each note to connect (or the "Tie" button): la/4~ la/8 lengthens the same pitch (one sound); la/8~ si~ do puts several notes under one slur. Barline: | (otherwise split by the usul measure).
- Triplet: 3(la/8 si do). Grace note: ^si/16 la/4. Fermata: la/2! Key signature: choosing a makam writes it next to the clef; pitches do not change.
- Repeat: |: … :| · 1st and 2nd ending: [1 … :| [2 … ] · Section text in quotes: "Hâne" "Teslim" "Son" · Marks: segno coda.
- Outside Turkish music (separate section): Arabic quarter tone mi-½ do+½, Western flat and sharp si-b fa+#, ±2, ±3, ±6, ±7 commas with no AEÜ sign: re+2.
- Lyrics: syllables in order, hyphen inside words (ça-la-bım); _ to skip a note.
What you write is stored only in this browser and never sent anywhere.
Add it to your home screen as a separate app: opens with one tap and works offline too. Free.
What is the notation writer?
The notation writer is free online music notation software that lets you write Turkish music notation with perde names (rast, dügâh, segâh, hicaz…) or with a letter and commas (si-1, do+4). What you write is drawn on the staff instantly with Arel-Ezgi-Uzdilek accidentals and can be played back in 53-comma tuning; you can download it as MusicXML, SVG or PDF, or print it. You can also enter notes by tapping the perde keyboard; every notation is saved to My notations on the My practice page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write Turkish music notation on a computer?
Just type the perde name and its duration, like "rast/4 dügah/8 segah/8". You don't need to mark accidentals separately; when you write segâh or hicaz, the correct AEÜ accidental is added automatically. You can also write with a letter and commas (si-1, do+4).
In which formats can I download my notation?
You can download it as MusicXML (opens in programs such as MuseScore, Sibelius and Finale), SVG (image) and PDF in A4 layout, or print it directly.
Can I write the usul, makam and key signature?
When you choose a makam, the key signature (the accidentals next to the clef) is written automatically. Barlines, repeat and ending signs, triplets, ties, fermatas and section labels such as Hâne and Teslim are also supported.
Will my notations get lost?
Your draft is kept in your browser, and every notation is added to My practice > My notations. If you turn on cross-device sync, you can see your notations on your other devices too.