Baha Yetkin | Turkish Oud Player, Composer & Music Educator

Baha Yetkin is a London-based Turkish oud player, composer and music educator with over 25 years of professional experience in music and more than two decades of teaching experience.

Born and raised in Istanbul, a cultural crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, his musical identity reflects the city's rich traditions. His compositions combine the melodic language of Turkish makam music, improvisation and the intricate rhythmic structures of Middle Eastern music, often exploring emotional, meditative and spiritual expressions.

Performance & International Collaborations

Throughout his career, Baha has performed and collaborated with distinguished musicians from Turkey and Europe, including Mustafa Keser, İnci Çayırlı, Melihat Gülses, Petros Klampanis, Michalis Kouloumis and Çiğdem Aslan.

He was the first Turkish oud player to be invited to give a solo recital at London's Royal Albert Hall. His performances have also taken him to prestigious venues including Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre, Zorlu Performing Arts Center, Vortex Jazz Club and Green Note.

His festival appearances include Alamar World Music Fest in Spain, Yeldeğirmeni Spring Jazz Festival in Istanbul and Rebetiko Carnival in London. He has also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Teaching & Music Education

Baha has been teaching the oud since 2003 and has worked with more than 1,000 students throughout his teaching career.

Drawing on his extensive experience as a performer and educator, he developed his published Turkish Oud Method to provide an accessible, systematic and progressive approach to traditional Turkish oud education.

His teaching focuses on developing strong technical foundations while encouraging students to understand the musical language, expressive character and performance traditions of Turkish makam music.

Alongside individual and group lessons, he has delivered oud and makam music workshops in Istanbul, London and Madrid, including educational activities at the University of Cambridge.

Through his online courses and YouTube educational videos, he continues sharing Turkish oud techniques and makam music with an international audience.

Musical Career & Current Work

Based in London since 2015, Baha continues to perform, compose, record and teach internationally.

His discography includes three albums and five singles available on major digital music platforms.

Alongside his artistic career, he is the founder of BY Music Ltd, through which he develops music education programmes, concerts, cultural projects and creative musical experiences.

His mission is to make Turkish oud playing and makam music accessible to musicians worldwide while preserving the knowledge, techniques and performance traditions passed down through generations.