Mehmet Ali ÇağlarMy Practice
PERFORMANCE · TEACHING · EXPLORATION
An approach to rhythm grounded in the physical language of percussion and improvisation.
Shaped over time through ongoing study, playing, listening, learning, and engaging with people.
Instruments
Primary Voices
Core textures in the acoustic dialogue
Doholla
Depth - wide dynamics
Darbuka
Precision – clear articulation
Bendir
Resonance – subtle sustain
Cajon
Pulse – versatile groove
Complementary Layers
Additional colours in the expressive palette
Daire
Usul phrasing
Hollo
Bass timbre
Davul
Folk character
Tef
Classical nuance
Structural Backbones
Idioms and sources influencing the rhythmic vocabulary
Tabla
Tonality
Kanjira
Modulation
Ghatam
Cavity
Nagara
Projection
Daf
Surge
Tombak
Fluidity
Hybrid Rig
A flexible setup combining modular percussion elements in a custom configuration
Handpan
Synthesis of percussive touch with melodic and harmonic motion
PROJECTS & CONCEPTS
Meydan Muziek
An expandable ensemble built around modal traditions and reworked repertoire.
Khayal
An expandable ensemble built around responsive improvisation and intuitive motifs.
Kitman
A solo act combining live looping, spontaneous repetition, and multi-percussion.
Rhythmology Laboratorium
An evolving method focused on coordination and interaction through rhythmic search, developed across workshops, seminars, and one-to-one sessions.
LINEAGE & GRATITUDE
With gratitude to the teachers, musicians and craftsmen
who have guided my rhythmic language and artistic path.
Masters
Selami Sevinç (Drums) • Mısırlı Ahmet (Darbuka) • Kostas Anastasiadis (Drums) • Kailash Nishad (Tabla) • Ganesh Kumar (Kanjira) • Suresh Vaidyanathan (Ghatam) • Nathulal Solanki (Nagara) • John Jhalib Millar (Tabla) • Yogesh Samsi (Tabla) • Levent Yıldırım (Doholla) • Youssef Hbeisch (Percussion) • Fahrettin Yarkın (Percussion) • Pedram Khavarzamini (Tombak)
Makers
Volga Tunca • Serkan Özdilek • Emin Bolat • Ralf van den Bor • Toss Levy • Majid Karami • Sergen Güğük