Greek Music

Question 1

Are greek melodies simple or complex?

Answer 1

-Simple melodies with lots of ornamentation, the performer/ singer has freedom to ornament freely

Question 2

what are some characteristics of the melody?

Answer 2

Melodies move by step(conjunct movement) and cover a relatively small range
-Melodies and lyrical (expressive and enjoyable to sing)

Question 3

what are the scales like?

Answer 3

The scales are similar to major and minor scales, with some chromatic alterations

Question 4

how are melodies harmonised?

Answer 4

-Often melodies are harmonized by another part playing a 3rd higher giving parallel melodies

Question 5

Instruments: What is a bouzouki ？

Answer 5

The bouzouki is a stringed instrument that has 3 or 4 pairs of strings.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a bouzouki?

Answer 6

These strings are either tuned to the same note or an octave apart to give it a distinctive sound.

It is mostly used as a melody instrument and often plays distinctive slides and tremolos in 3rds

Question 7

Instruments: what is a defi?

Answer 7

Defi is a hand drum with bangles attached

Question 8

what could a typical ensemble consist of?

Answer 8

doumbeck,bouzouki,violin,bass and vocals

Question 9

what is the tempo like?

Answer 9

Fast for dancing

Question 10

what time signatures do they use?

Answer 10

-Irregular time signatures (5/8, 7/8),
(often accented 5/8: “1” 2 3 “4” 5
7/8: “1” 2 3 “4” 5 “6” 7
although simple time (2/4,3/4,4/4) is also common

(“” accented)

Question 11

what is the texture like?

Answer 11

• clear homophonic (melody and accompaniment) texture
• The melody line is prominent, with accompaniment
• Off-beat chords are also a feature

Question 12

what is the tonality?

Answer 12

-Greek music uses diatonic major and minor chords

Question 13

what happens in the harmony?

Answer 13

The tonic (I) and dominant (V) notes of each chord are emphasized by the bass instrument

Question 14

what sort of modulation is there?

Answer 14

-There is some modulation to other keys (often relative major or minor)

Question 15

how are stringed instruments played?

Answer 15

There are lots of stringed instruments which are either bowed or plucked

-Tremolo(bouzouki) and slides(glissando)are a feature

Question 16

what do singers do?

Answer 16

Singers use melisma (singing several notes per syllable)

Question 17

what other instruments may be used?

Answer 17

• A wide range of hand percussion instruments may be used

- Several wind instruments are employed, resembling recorders and clarinets.

Question 18

what is the structure?

Answer 18

• short sections are often repeated
• clear with regular phrasing
• instruments and singers often perform in dialogue
• contrasting sections separated by clear cadences

Question 19

what is greece considered to be the birthplace of?

Answer 19

European literature, philosophy, art and music

Question 20

what is the official religion?

Answer 20

christianity, although many greeks attend the greek orthodox church

Question 21

what are modern greek songs strongly influenced by?

Answer 21

folk music - in the greece consists of both dances and songs

most green folk music, particular dances, are heard at celebrations and other social events

Question 22

where are folk songs heard?

Answer 22

might be heard in cafés , restaurants or bars across the country and it’s island’s

Question 23

what is a greek famous performer?

Answer 23

yannis parios

one of greece’s most popular singers and “the great lover of Greece music”