Shake, Spin, and Learn: Turkish Music for Kids

Music is a big part of life in Turkey! From fun dance performances to traditional songs played in villages, Turkish music is full of rhythm, color, and exciting sounds.

What Is Belly Dancing?

Belly dancing is one of the most popular dances in Turkey. Dancers wear shiny costumes and move their hips and hands in fun, wavy motions. The music is usually very fast and playful. Sometimes, belly dancers wear finger cymbals, called zills, and they click them along with the music!

Turkish Musical Instruments

Many traditional Turkish instruments are used in belly dancing and folk music. Let’s look at a few of them:

• Tef: This is like a tambourine. You hold it in your hands and shake or tap it to make jingling sounds.

• Zither: This string instrument is shaped like a box and played by strumming with a small pick. It makes beautiful twinkling sounds.

• Tabla: These are hand-played drums that give belly dancing music its fast, bouncy beat.

Turkish Folk Music

Turkey also has folk music, which is very important in the countryside and small towns. People sing songs about family, love, farming, and traditions. Some of the special instruments used in folk music include:

• Bağlama: This looks like a guitar without a hole in the middle. It has long strings and is used to play soft, sweet songs.

• Tulum: This is a kind of bagpipe, like the ones in Scotland. You blow into it and it makes loud, happy sounds.

• Sipsi: This is a long wooden or reed tube, kind of like a clarinet. It has a sharp, high-pitched sound.

Learn More About Turkish Music with Dinolingo

If you love music and want to explore more about Turkish culture, Dinolingo makes learning Turkish fun and exciting for kids! With songs, videos, flashcards, and games, Dinolingo helps children learn the Turkish language while exploring fun cultural themes like music, food, family, and holidays. You can use it on a computer, tablet, or phone even without internet!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re listening to the beat of belly dance music or the soft notes of a bağlama, Turkish music has something for everyone. It’s full of energy, feeling, and fun instruments you might never have seen before. The best way to enjoy it is to listen, dance, and maybe even try playing along!