''Gazel'' is a form of Turkish music that has almost died out. While in other parts of West Asia, ''gazel'' is synonymous with ''
ghazal
The ''ghazal'' ( ar, غَزَل, bn, গজল, Hindi-Urdu: /, fa, غزل, az, qəzəl, tr, gazel, tm, gazal, uz, gʻazal, gu, ગઝલ) is a form of amatory poem or ode, originating in Arabic poetry. A ghazal may be understood as a ...
'', in Turkey it denotes an improvised form of solo singing that is sometimes accompanied by the ''
ney
The ''ney'' ( fa, Ney/نی, ar, Al-Nāy/الناي), is an end-blown flute that figures prominently in Persian music and Arabic music. In some of these musical traditions, it is the only wind instrument used. The ney has been played continual ...
'', ''
ud'', or ''
tanbur
The term ''Tanbur'' ( fa, تنبور, ) can refer to various long-necked string instruments originating in Mesopotamia, Southern or Central Asia. According to the ''New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'', "terminology presents a compl ...
''. It is the vocal equivalent to the Turkish ''
taqsim
''Taqsim'' ( ckb, تەقسیم, ar, تَقْسِيم / ALA-LC: ''taqsīm''; el, ταξίμι, translit=taksimi, tr, taksim) is a melodic musical improvisation that usually precedes the performance of a traditional Arabic, Kurdish, Greek, Middle ...
'', an improvised instrumental composition.
The form began to die out in the mid-20th century because of its associations with nightclubs, but it has recently begun a revival process.
[Garland Encyclopedia of Music, vol. 6, pp. 114–121]
References
Turkish music
Turkish words and phrases
Arabic and Central Asian poetics
Forms of Ottoman classical music
Forms of Turkish makam music
{{music-genre-stub