Greek Music

Greek Music

Origins and Historical Context

Greek music has a history that spans thousands of years, with its roots traced back to ancient Greece.
The music of ancient Greece was closely tied to poetry and drama, often performed at festivals and religious ceremonies.
Byzantine music forms an important historical period of Greek music, influenced by Eastern Orthodox Church.

Musical Features

Greek music is often characterized by its sense of melody and rhythm. It traditionally makes use of modal scales, known as modes.
The music often has unique time signatures, including a 9/8 time signature that provides a characteristic Mediterranean rhythm.
The use of instruments such as the bouzouki, a long-necked, fretted string instrument, and the lyra, a three-stringed fiddle, is common in Greek music.

Performance and Dance

Greek music is often accompanied by traditional dance, which varies by region, and can include dances such as the Sirtaki and Kalamatianos.
Greek dances can be performed in lines or circles, with dancers often holding hands or linking arms.
Costumes worn during these dances are bright and colourful, often reflecting the traditional attire of the specific region.

Modern Greek Music

In modern times, Greek music encompasses a variety of genres, including rebetika (often called the blues of Greece), laïko (popular urban folk) and entechno (artistic song).
Pop music, rock, hip hop and other global genres also exist in Greece — often incorporating elements from traditional Greek music.
Some acclaimed Greek musicians of the modern era are Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis and Maria Callas.

Greek Music’s Significance

Greek music plays an important role in Greek society, traditions and celebrations. It also serves as a link to Greek history and heritage.
Traditional Greek music and dance foster a sense of community and national identity.
Greek music has had a broad influence on Western musical culture, as ancient Greek music theory forms the basis of Western music theory.