Greek Music Flashcards
Are greek melodies simple or complex?
-Simple melodies with lots of ornamentation, the performer/ singer has freedom to ornament freely
what are some characteristics of the melody?
Melodies move by step(conjunct movement) and cover a relatively small range
-Melodies and lyrical (expressive and enjoyable to sing)
what are the scales like?
The scales are similar to major and minor scales, with some chromatic alterations
how are melodies harmonised?
-Often melodies are harmonized by another part playing a 3rd higher giving parallel melodies
Instruments: What is a bouzouki ？
The bouzouki is a stringed instrument that has 3 or 4 pairs of strings.
What are the characteristics of a bouzouki?
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
Instruments: what is a defi?
Defi is a hand drum with bangles attached
what could a typical ensemble consist of?
doumbeck,bouzouki,violin,bass and vocals
what is the tempo like?
Fast for dancing
what time signatures do they use?
-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)
what is the texture like?
- clear homophonic (melody and accompaniment) texture
- The melody line is prominent, with accompaniment
- Off-beat chords are also a feature
what is the tonality?
-Greek music uses diatonic major and minor chords
what happens in the harmony?
The tonic (I) and dominant (V) notes of each chord are emphasized by the bass instrument
what sort of modulation is there?
-There is some modulation to other keys (often relative major or minor)
how are stringed instruments played?
There are lots of stringed instruments which are either bowed or plucked
-Tremolo(bouzouki) and slides(glissando)are a feature
what do singers do?
Singers use melisma (singing several notes per syllable)
what other instruments may be used?
- A wide range of hand percussion instruments may be used
- Several wind instruments are employed, resembling recorders and clarinets.
what is the structure?
- short sections are often repeated
- clear with regular phrasing
- instruments and singers often perform in dialogue
- contrasting sections separated by clear cadences
what is greece considered to be the birthplace of?
European literature, philosophy, art and music
what is the official religion?
christianity, although many greeks attend the greek orthodox church
what are modern greek songs strongly influenced by?
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
where are folk songs heard?
might be heard in cafés , restaurants or bars across the country and it’s island’s
what is a greek famous performer?
yannis parios
one of greece’s most popular singers and “the great lover of Greece music”
