Kopuz Lessons (Online /
From 25 £ /h
I have been playing the kopuz since childhood and have spent many years performing as a professional musician. To refine my technique and deepen my understanding of this ancient, mystical instrument, I had the privilege of attending masterclasses with the legendary master musician Erkan Oğur. Today, combining my 25 years of teaching experience with my professional background, I am passionate about passing this deep musical heritage on to my students.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, I tailor my teaching to your unique pace. Thanks to my custom-built analog home studio, you will experience crystal-clear audio quality during our online sessions, ensuring you hear every subtle nuance.
What We Will Cover in Our Lessons:
Fundamental & Advanced Techniques: Mastering arpeggios, slurs (hammer-ons and pull-offs), and precise right/left-hand articulation.
Microtones & Maqam Theory: Understanding the commas and microtonal structures unique to Anatolian and Eastern music.
The Art of Improvisation: Developing your own musical voice through structured improvisation and traditional phrasing.
Harmony Applications: Integrating traditional melodies with broader harmonic concepts.
Alternate Tunings (Düzenler): Exploring different tunings to unlock the full acoustic potential of the kopuz.
Repertoire Building: Progressing from foundational traditional pieces to complex, advanced compositions step-by-step.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, I tailor my teaching to your unique pace. Thanks to my custom-built analog home studio, you will experience crystal-clear audio quality during our online sessions, ensuring you hear every subtle nuance.
What We Will Cover in Our Lessons:
Fundamental & Advanced Techniques: Mastering arpeggios, slurs (hammer-ons and pull-offs), and precise right/left-hand articulation.
Microtones & Maqam Theory: Understanding the commas and microtonal structures unique to Anatolian and Eastern music.
The Art of Improvisation: Developing your own musical voice through structured improvisation and traditional phrasing.
Harmony Applications: Integrating traditional melodies with broader harmonic concepts.
Alternate Tunings (Düzenler): Exploring different tunings to unlock the full acoustic potential of the kopuz.
Repertoire Building: Progressing from foundational traditional pieces to complex, advanced compositions step-by-step.
Extra information
Important Notes for Prospective Students
To ensure we get the absolute best out of our online lessons and your musical journey, please take a moment to read the guidelines below.
1. Technical Requirements for Online Classes
A proper digital setup is essential for effective online music learning.
Screen Size: Please use a laptop, desktop computer, or a large tablet. Smartphones are simply too small for you to clearly see the intricate details of fingerings, slurs, and microtonal positions.
Camera Placement: Your webcam must be positioned at an angle where I can clearly see both of your hands (your fretting hand and your picking/strumming hand) as well as the neck of the instrument.
Audio Quality: Since I broadcast my lessons using high-quality analog studio equipment, using a good pair of external speakers or quality headphones is highly recommended. This will allow you to hear every subtle nuance and comma of the instrument perfectly.
2. Practice Expectations & Choosing Your Lesson Frequency
Learning an instrument is a journey that happens primarily between our lessons. Picking up your instrument only during our scheduled hour will unfortunately not lead to meaningful progress. To grow, you need consistent repetition, daily finger exercises, and active music listening. Your progress rate is directly determined by your practice routine outside of class.
Before we start, realistically evaluate how much time you can dedicate to practicing each week. This will help us determine your ideal lesson schedule:
The Steady Pace (1 Lesson / Week): If you have a busy schedule and can only spare about 30 minutes a few times a week for practice, one 1-hour lesson per week is the perfect pace. This gives you enough time to digest the material and practice before we meet again.
The Intensive Pace (2 Lessons / Week): If you can commit to practicing about 1 hour every single day, I highly recommend scheduling two 1-hour lessons per week. This allows for rapid feedback, immediate correction of bad habits, and fast-tracked progress.
3. Tips for a Successful Musical Journey
Consistency is Key: Practicing 20 minutes every single day builds muscle memory much faster than practicing for two hours only on Sundays.
Active Listening: Surround yourself with the music of the instrument you are learning. Listening is 50% of the learning process, especially for traditional and maqam-based music.
Be Ready: To make the most of our time together, please have your instrument properly tuned and your materials ready a few minutes before our call starts.
To ensure we get the absolute best out of our online lessons and your musical journey, please take a moment to read the guidelines below.
1. Technical Requirements for Online Classes
A proper digital setup is essential for effective online music learning.
Screen Size: Please use a laptop, desktop computer, or a large tablet. Smartphones are simply too small for you to clearly see the intricate details of fingerings, slurs, and microtonal positions.
Camera Placement: Your webcam must be positioned at an angle where I can clearly see both of your hands (your fretting hand and your picking/strumming hand) as well as the neck of the instrument.
Audio Quality: Since I broadcast my lessons using high-quality analog studio equipment, using a good pair of external speakers or quality headphones is highly recommended. This will allow you to hear every subtle nuance and comma of the instrument perfectly.
2. Practice Expectations & Choosing Your Lesson Frequency
Learning an instrument is a journey that happens primarily between our lessons. Picking up your instrument only during our scheduled hour will unfortunately not lead to meaningful progress. To grow, you need consistent repetition, daily finger exercises, and active music listening. Your progress rate is directly determined by your practice routine outside of class.
Before we start, realistically evaluate how much time you can dedicate to practicing each week. This will help us determine your ideal lesson schedule:
The Steady Pace (1 Lesson / Week): If you have a busy schedule and can only spare about 30 minutes a few times a week for practice, one 1-hour lesson per week is the perfect pace. This gives you enough time to digest the material and practice before we meet again.
The Intensive Pace (2 Lessons / Week): If you can commit to practicing about 1 hour every single day, I highly recommend scheduling two 1-hour lessons per week. This allows for rapid feedback, immediate correction of bad habits, and fast-tracked progress.
3. Tips for a Successful Musical Journey
Consistency is Key: Practicing 20 minutes every single day builds muscle memory much faster than practicing for two hours only on Sundays.
Active Listening: Surround yourself with the music of the instrument you are learning. Listening is 50% of the learning process, especially for traditional and maqam-based music.
Be Ready: To make the most of our time together, please have your instrument properly tuned and your materials ready a few minutes before our call starts.
Location
At student's location :
- Around Maltepe, Turkey
At teacher's location :
- Yakacık Yeni, Mühürdar Caddesi, Kartal/İstanbul, Turkey
Online from Turkey
About Me
Hello, I’m Can. I am a professional music educator and multi-instrumentalist with 25 years of experience teaching both in public schools and through private lessons. My musical expertise bridges traditional Anatolian roots and modern string instrumentation. While my primary instruments are the bağlama and guitar, I play and teach their entire extended families at an advanced level—including the kopuz, cura, divan sazı, fretless guitar, and bass. I also enjoy playing the transverse flute and percussion.
Beyond teaching and performing, I run a dedicated home recording studio where I design and build my own analog audio equipment. This technical background ensures that our online lessons will always be delivered with clear, warm, and professional-grade sound quality.
My Teaching Philosophy
My approach to teaching is built on a very simple premise: I focus on showing you what you can do first. By highlighting your immediate capabilities, we build the confidence and momentum needed to tackle more complex techniques and makam theory together. I am a deeply patient and observant instructor, and I dynamically tailor every lesson to fit your unique learning pace and personal goals.
What to Expect in Our Lessons
Whether you are seeking a highly experienced teacher for your child, or you are an adult pursuing a lifelong passion as a hobby, I have decades of pedagogical experience adapting to all age groups. My priority is to create a pressure-free, welcoming environment. In my classes, you will always feel comfortable, supported, and musically inspired.
Let’s discover your musical potential together.
Beyond teaching and performing, I run a dedicated home recording studio where I design and build my own analog audio equipment. This technical background ensures that our online lessons will always be delivered with clear, warm, and professional-grade sound quality.
My Teaching Philosophy
My approach to teaching is built on a very simple premise: I focus on showing you what you can do first. By highlighting your immediate capabilities, we build the confidence and momentum needed to tackle more complex techniques and makam theory together. I am a deeply patient and observant instructor, and I dynamically tailor every lesson to fit your unique learning pace and personal goals.
What to Expect in Our Lessons
Whether you are seeking a highly experienced teacher for your child, or you are an adult pursuing a lifelong passion as a hobby, I have decades of pedagogical experience adapting to all age groups. My priority is to create a pressure-free, welcoming environment. In my classes, you will always feel comfortable, supported, and musically inspired.
Let’s discover your musical potential together.
Education
Education & Certifications
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education, General Directorate of Lifelong Learning – Bağlama Training Completion Certificate
This official state certification reflects my formal and comprehensive training in Anatolian folk music, traditional repertoire, and advanced bağlama playing techniques.
- Arel University Continuing Education Center – ORFF "Music, Game, and Rhythm" Training Certificate
Through this specialized training, I mastered the Orff-Schulwerk approach, which integrates music, movement, drama, and speech. This methodology allows me to create highly engaging, interactive, and fun lessons, especially for younger learners and beginners.
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education, General Directorate of Lifelong Learning – Bağlama Training Completion Certificate
This official state certification reflects my formal and comprehensive training in Anatolian folk music, traditional repertoire, and advanced bağlama playing techniques.
- Arel University Continuing Education Center – ORFF "Music, Game, and Rhythm" Training Certificate
Through this specialized training, I mastered the Orff-Schulwerk approach, which integrates music, movement, drama, and speech. This methodology allows me to create highly engaging, interactive, and fun lessons, especially for younger learners and beginners.
Experience / Qualifications
Teaching Experience
Private Music Instructor | 2001 – Present
For over two decades, I have been conducting one-on-one and group lessons for a highly diverse range of students. I design customized curriculum plans focusing on instrument mastery, traditional makam theory, and musical expression, successfully guiding both children and adults to reach their personal musical goals.
Primary School Music Teacher | 2009 – Present
Working within the public school system, I introduce young minds to the fundamentals of music. I direct student rhythm ensembles, organize school choirs, and utilize age-appropriate pedagogical techniques to foster a lifelong love and understanding of music in early childhood development.
Private Music Instructor | 2001 – Present
For over two decades, I have been conducting one-on-one and group lessons for a highly diverse range of students. I design customized curriculum plans focusing on instrument mastery, traditional makam theory, and musical expression, successfully guiding both children and adults to reach their personal musical goals.
Primary School Music Teacher | 2009 – Present
Working within the public school system, I introduce young minds to the fundamentals of music. I direct student rhythm ensembles, organize school choirs, and utilize age-appropriate pedagogical techniques to foster a lifelong love and understanding of music in early childhood development.
Age
Children (7-12 years old)
Teenagers (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Seniors (65+ years old)
Student level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Duration
60 minutes
The class is taught in
English
Turkish
Reviews
Availability of a typical week
(GMT -04:00)
New York
At teacher's location and via webcam
At student's home
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
00-04
04-08
08-12
12-16
16-20
20-24
My journey with the bağlama began in my childhood and evolved into a lifelong career as a professional musician and state-certified educator. With over two decades of teaching experience in both public schools and private instruction, I offer a highly patient, structured, and adaptable approach to mastering the bağlama.
My teaching philosophy is simple: I focus on what you can do first. By building your confidence in a pressure-free environment, we will naturally progress to more advanced techniques. All online sessions are broadcast from my professional analog recording studio, guaranteeing that every microtone and dynamic detail is heard perfectly.
What We Will Cover in Our Lessons:
Core Mechanics: Developing flawless articulation, seamless slurs, and rhythmic arpeggio patterns.
Maqam (Makam) Theory: A deep dive into the microtonal system, traditional scales, and the theoretical foundation of Anatolian folk music.
Improvisation (Taqsim/Taksim): Learning how to express emotions freely and spontaneously within the rules of traditional maqams.
Harmonic Exploration: Applying functional harmony to traditional bağlama playing.
Alternate Tunings (Düzenler): Mastering various tunings (such as Bağlama düzeni, Bozuk/Kara düzen) to expand your playing style and versatility.
Comprehensive Repertoire: Curating a personalized list of pieces, ranging from historical folk songs to contemporary arrangements, matching your skill level and musical taste.
My teaching philosophy is simple: I focus on what you can do first. By building your confidence in a pressure-free environment, we will naturally progress to more advanced techniques. All online sessions are broadcast from my professional analog recording studio, guaranteeing that every microtone and dynamic detail is heard perfectly.
What We Will Cover in Our Lessons:
Core Mechanics: Developing flawless articulation, seamless slurs, and rhythmic arpeggio patterns.
Maqam (Makam) Theory: A deep dive into the microtonal system, traditional scales, and the theoretical foundation of Anatolian folk music.
Improvisation (Taqsim/Taksim): Learning how to express emotions freely and spontaneously within the rules of traditional maqams.
Harmonic Exploration: Applying functional harmony to traditional bağlama playing.
Alternate Tunings (Düzenler): Mastering various tunings (such as Bağlama düzeni, Bozuk/Kara düzen) to expand your playing style and versatility.
Comprehensive Repertoire: Curating a personalized list of pieces, ranging from historical folk songs to contemporary arrangements, matching your skill level and musical taste.
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