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Iran’s local melodies are some of the richest, most beautiful and most various among the folk melodies in the world. Despite all common roots the folk music in each different part of Iran has certain characteristics in correlation with its native myths, dialects, geographical and social situation and does not enjoy the unity of style. ^[1]

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Persian folk music 3 Kurdish music 4 Music of Khuzestan 5 Iranian folk music in Iranian cultural continent 6 Notable figures 7 See also 8 Notes 9 External links

Many composers of the late nineteeth and early twentieth centuries used the folk music of their native countries as a source of inspiration for their compositions. For some composers, such as Stravinsky, this was a short-lived infatuation soon to be followed by neoclassicism, or, for others, one of several different forms of modernism. Among the major European composers, Bela Bartok, Manuel de Falla, and Zoltan Kodaly remained significantly committed to using folk music as primary sources for their works. Similarly issues can be seen in the history of Iranian folk music.

The modal concepts in Iranian folk music are directly linked with that of the Iranian classical music. However, improvisation plays a minor role as folk tunes are characterized by relatively clear-cut melodic and rhythmic properties. The function of each folk melody determines its mood. The varying aesthetic requirements of wedding songs, lullabies, love songs, harvest songs, dance pieces, etc., are met with transparent and appropriate simplicity. The majority of the classical instruments are too elaborate and difficult for the folk musicians. Instead, there are literally dozens of musical instruments of various sorts found among the rural people. In fact, each region of the country can boast instruments peculiar to itself. Three types of instruments, however, are common to all parts of the country. They are, a kind of shawm called Surnay (or Sorna ~ Zorna), the various types of Ney (flute), and the Dohol, a doubleheader drum. A discussion of Persian music must necessarily include the new hybrid of mixed Persian-Western music which is functioning as a popular-commercial music. The use of western popular rhythms, an elementary harmonic superimposition, and relatively large ensembles composed of mostly western instruments, characterize this music. The melodic and modal aspects of these compositions maintain basically Persian elements. On the whole, it would be something of an understatement to say that the artistic merit of such a melange as this is rather questionable. (Prof. Farhat-musicologist Persianartmusic.com)

Iran is home to several ethnic groups, including Kurdish, Azerbaijanis, Bakhtiari and Baluchi peoples. Turkmen epic poets similar to Central Asian musicians are common in Khorasan, while Kurdish music is known for its double-reed duduk and an earthy, dance-oriented sound. The most famous personalities in Iranian folk music are Pari Zangeneh and Sima Bina.

Sima Bina is one of the most renowned traditional Persian singers. As a true anthropologist of Khorassan music, she has been compiling for years a traditional repertoire from this province. Singing in Persian, but also in Turkish and Kurdish, she perpetuates a tradition of folk music which praises nature and love, and which evokes nostalgia and the changing times.[3]

• Music of Khorasan
• Music of Mazandaran

The forms of music found in various parts of Kurdistan, all known as Kurdish music, vary depending on the climate and geography of the regions as well as their contact with the neighboring cultures. For example, the melodies found among the people living in the mountains are different from those found among the people living in the meadows. However, the poetry and the rhythms are common to both areas.

Kamkars group is perhaps the most prominent group that performs Kurdish folk music as well as Iranian classical music.

• Magham Music
• Alvaniyeh Music: This is the music of Arabs of Khuzestan.
• Radif Music (Not to be confused with Persian Radif Music): A genre of music played in villages. And every kind of this music is called "tor" and every "tor" may have its own accent and poems.

• Music of Afghanistan
• Music of Tajikistan
• Music of Azerbaijan

• Pari Zangeneh
• Sima Bina
• Kamkars group
• La'l Bakhsh Beik^[2] (لعل بخش بيک)
• Noor Mohammad Dorpour (نورمحمد درپور)
• Gholam ALi Ney-navaz ( غلامعلی نی نواز)
• Shir Mohammad Espandar ( شير محمد اسپندار )
• Ali Mohammad Balouch (علی محمد بلوچ)
• Masha'llah Bameri ( ماشاءالله بامری )
• Reza Vali
• Shah Niaz Musiev (Uzbekistan)
• Mitra Rahbar
• Monika Jalili
• Ziba Shirazi
• Zohreh Jooya
• Minoo Javan
• Hossein Farjami
• Zoya Sabet

• Music of Iran
• Folk music

• Iranian Folklore Songs in Cyrillic

Folk music
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