Key learning points

1. The bouzouki has a characteristic playing style that uses slides and tremolo.
2. Instrumental and vocal melodies are often harmonised with thirds.
3. Melodies in Greek folk music are mostly conjunct and use ornamentation.
4. The vocal melodies are often conjunct and melismatic, like in Thalassaki Mou.

Keywords

• Third - an interval of two tones or three semitones

• Slide - when a performer moves seamlessly between two pitches

• Tremolo - a rapid repetition of a note or notes

• Melismatic - a melody in which many notes are sung for just one syllable of a word

• Conjunct - when notes move by step, they do not leap

Common misconception