Although similar in many ways to Classical Turkish music (Klâsik Türk müziği, Türk sanat mûsikîsi, Osmanlı Saray mûsikîsi), music of the Mevlevi ritual differs in other ways. Some differences are easily observable, even to the nonspecialist. Other differences are more subtle. See also "extramusical"page.

The ney holds a position of honor among the Mevlevi. It is only one instrument among many equals in the Classical ensemble. The lengthy Mevlevi ney improvisation is an important movement in its own right. Instrumental improvisations in Classical concerts are generally shorter and less important.

See Vicente 2007, especially Chapter 6, for non-classical genres of "musics for the Mevlana."
 

Mevlevi vs. Classical: some differences, similarities
		Mevlevi		Classical
Poetry language		Persian		Ottoman Turkish
Poetry author(s)		Mevlana (Celaleddin al-Rumi)		[varied]
Extramusical		Procession, whirling, silence, etc.		[minimal?]
Instruments		Ney, kudüm, cymbals (halile), optional classical instruments		Tanbur, ney, kemençe, violin, kanun, ud, etc.
Improvisation		Extensive introductory taksim, no modulating taksims		Brief introductory & modulating taksims
Makam/seyir		[No difference]
Usul		Embellished, limited variety		Unembellished, wide variety
Compound form		Ayin/mukabele		Fasıl
Compound form usul sequence		Idiosyncratic sequence		Progresses from long/slow to short/fast

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