All Letters of Music
S – STRINGS
We believe that not many of you have had the experience that we’ll be getting today. Today, we’ve decided to teach you to walk on a string thanks to our new letter S. Your “vocal strings” can take a rest, because we will not be singing. We’ll be using our fingers to make music. We are taking you into the world of plucked string instruments! It’s a group of instruments which produce sound when the strings are plucked (picked) using fingers or a plectrum, unlike other string instruments which require the use of a bow to make sounds. When we think about plucking strings the first instrument that we think of is, naturally, the guitar. Those with more affinity for folk music will think of the tambura, the balalaika or the mandolin, depending on the country where the composition which they are listening to originates from. Looking through history, the number one spot is held by the lute, while the first lady among the symphony orchestra instruments is most definitely the harp.
Today, we present to you the bouzouki, a plucked string instrument whose sound instantly brings Greece to mind! And certainly not by accident, since numerous familiar beautiful Greek folk melodies and songs have been played on this exact instrument. That is why we’ve made the decision to get to know it by listening to sirtaki. Sirtaki is a dance considered to be the traditional Greek dance, even though this is not the case. It was created as a combination of various Greek dances, blended to music composed by Mikis Teodorakis, for the ballet “Zorba the Greek”. It is identifiable by its bouzouki sound. And it is precisely this number from the ballet, called “Sirtaki” that we’ll be listening to today, as performed by Bane Kljajic, playing the bouzouki and the RTS Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Bojan Sudjic is conducting.
Today, with the help of music, we’re on a sound trail of bouzouki strings. Have a listen, and also take a look at how it’s played. Get to know other string instruments with the help of RTS Music Production! Become a follower of our official Facebook page and Instagram profile!