Why turkish music and greek music are so similar, sometimes ? Who influenced the other?

Question

I noticed that sometimes greek music seems to very oriental, concerning the rythms, the percussions. And also turkish music sometimes seems to be more greek than arabic ( I know that turks and arabs are not the same).
The Greeks influenced the Turks ? Or the Turks influenced the Greeks ?
Was it the same process such as Spanish/Arabic processus ? (sometimes Flamenco looks like arabic music)

I am Spanish

Answer 1

Both countries are bounded through centuries

Beyond conflicts and wars Greeks and Turks have been living together, sharing cultures, music and language

it is so hard to say who first influence who

I think we together discover our music !

Besides, Greece's geographical position gives the unique advantage to combine both western and eastern cultures (music is a basic part of culture too)

This is what makes us different from other Europeans

Greetings from Greece

Answer 2

Greeks and Turks lived in same empire (Ottoman Empire) for 400 years. Both cultures highly influenced each other. It's not only the music, the cultures, the food etc. are very similar. Even the people of both countries look alike. Despite the religion, Arabic culture does not have much ifluence on Turkish culture. Actually many Turks dislike Arabs and putting the Turks in the same category with Arabs may come as an insult to some people. (Not me, I respect all cultures) Considering our neighbors Greeks are the closest to us. They are a great nation with a great history (ancient Greece for example) and it's an honor to be influenced by those people. It's the time to focus on similarities, we're living in the 21st century. There's no time for animosity aynmore. There's no superiority in cultural exchange. Influence is what makes our cultures rich.

Answer 3

Hard to tell... however there might be a couple of clues:

When the Turks arrived in the area back in the 1000ac, they were a nomadic tribe of warriors, while the Greeks-Byzantines had flourishing empire.

Music is inherent and necessary in the Christian religion and worship. It is necessary to have some musical training to become an Orthodox priest and the public is expected to take part in the melody. Muslims do not do that.

Turkish music comes directly from the Ottoman music tradition. Ottoman (alike what Turks like to claim) were not just Turks, they were also Greeks, Jews, Armenians, Serbs, Bulgarians, some Persians, Kurds etc etc. The cultural mixing off all these people produced the ottoman music.

Answer 4

The answer is simple. All music in the west is based on original music from ancient Greece. During Hellenistic times it spread to the rest of the world to the east almost to India and to the west though the Romans to Europe. Changing and adapting all the time. Arabic music is based on Greek modes of music. The Turks who are late comers in the area 10th century ad get influenced both by both Byzantine and Arabic musical theory. Flamenco by the way is deeply entrenched in Arabic music. It's a child of it and inadvertently of Greek origin

Answer 5

If you were to hear Byzantine chants composed long before the Seltzuk Turks' invasions you will discern similar patterns in chords and progressions between them and the Turkish music and even the wavering falcettos of flamenco.

Answer 6

I dont think that there is an influence from both sides to each other because we have the same ethnic culture such as ; we both drink raki , eat musakka , kofte , cacik etc. If you visit Bodrum you will see even the houses are the same as in ones in Greece.

so we can say it is mutual .

Answer 7

The Byzance...In reality this is due to a common past, which origines are in Byzance...If you hear the folklore turk, it is like ours, and also the hymns of the church are so similar

Answer 8

This is the Greek category, so Turks are influenced by Greeks.

Answer 9

if we have to pick, its more likely(and true in my opinion)greeks influnced by Turks( would make more sense) as if you think about them living under turkish flag for ages, size and population of Greece etc..

Answer 10

Greece was part of the Ottoman empire. The two counties have invaded each others territory many times so there are many similarities.