Rast

Rast is the name of both a pitch and the makam that rests on this pitch. Its dominant is nevâ; its progression climbs firmly from low to high. In his work el-Matla', Seydî calls it "the mother of the makams"; from the fifteenth century onward, theory books begin their lessons with Rast, and lyric anthologies devote their first section to it. It has a grave, dignified, religious color; it holds a wide place in both art music and folk music.

In the list attributed to Fârâbî, Rast gives joy; Şirvânî, together with Irak and Isfahan, counts it among the makams that give a measured ease and a pleasant savor. In the account attributed to Safiyyüddin, Rast's name does not appear at all. Şuûrî places it at the two ends of the day, at dawn and at midnight; he asks that Rast and the makams tied to it be performed in the gatherings of the people of knowledge. He links it to Aries among the signs of the zodiac, and to fire among the elements.

Sources: Scale, progression and history: Özkan, "Rast", TDV İA, XXXIV, 461-462 (2007). Joy: Kalender, AÜİFD XXIX, 362. Measured ease and its absence from the Safiyyüddin account: Akdoğan, AÜİFD XLVIII/1, 79-80. Time, gathering, zodiac sign: Şuûrî, Ta'dîlü'l-emzice, Turabi edition, 164-166.