Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi facts for kids

Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi (born January 9, 1778 – died November 29, 1846) was a famous composer of Ottoman classical music. He is known as one of the greatest Turkish composers.

Life Story of Dede Efendi

Hammamizade İsmail Dede Efendi was born in Istanbul, in an area called Şehzadebaşı-Fatih. This was on January 9, 1778. When he was just eight years old, he began learning music. His first teacher was Mehmed Emin Efendi.

He often visited the Yenikapı Mevlevihanesi, which was a special place for Mevlevi gatherings. Here, he learned to play the ney, a type of flute. He also studied with Ali Nutki Dede. In 1799, he earned the title of "Dede" himself. This title meant he was a respected master.

Sultan Selim III really liked Dede Efendi's music. Because of this, Dede Efendi often performed his songs at the palace. He wrote many songs and pieces for Mevlevi ceremonies.

In 1846, Dede Efendi went on a religious journey to Mecca. Sadly, he became sick with cholera there and passed away. His grave is in Mecca.

His Amazing Music

Dede Efendi was a very important music teacher. He taught Hamparsum Limonciyan about Turkish music. Hamparsum Limonciyan later created the Hamparsum notation. This was a special way to write down Turkish music.

Dede Efendi was one of the best Turkish composers ever. He wrote many wonderful pieces in different styles of Turkish music. He also created new musical modes, which are like special scales or patterns for music. Some of these modes include "sultanî yegâh" and "hicaz-buselik."

His most famous works are seven pieces he wrote for Mevlevi ceremonies called Samah. Today, we still have more than 200 of his musical creations.

One of his songs, Ey büt-i nev edâ olmuşum müptelâ, was even used in a video game! It's part of the theme for the Ottoman civilization in the game Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm. He also composed the first Turkish waltz song, called Yine Bir Gülnihâl.

Dede Efendi's Museum

You can visit Dede Efendi's old house and music room in Istanbul. It's in the Cankurtaran neighborhood. This special place has been kept safe and is now a museum.

See also

• Hafız Post
• Tanburi Cemil Bey
• Tanburi Büyük Osman Bey

Images for kids

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  His museum in Cankurtaran

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  His original instruments

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  Music Salon

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  Guest Salon