Modality and harmonization in Rembetiko.
The structure and melodic development in the modal scales of Rembetiko.
MAI 19 to 23 2025
OBJECTIVES
The main goal of the seminar is for students to understand how the scales of this music are structured and the role of harmonization and how these two elements were used in each of the periods in which rebetiko developed.
PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT
We will focus on a repertoire coming from the four periods of rembetiko. The first and early period from the end of the 19th century to 1922, The Smyrna period from 1922 to 1934 when rembetiko was influenced by the music of the refugees who came after the destruction of Smyrna, the pre-war period from 1934 to 1940 and the after – war period from 1944 to 1955.
- Ιn the seminar we are going to learn all the modal scales (major and minor) used in rebetiko as well as the ways we use chords and rhythms within the repertoire.
- Manolis Karapiperis, Giorgos Katsaros, Charilaos Piperakis, Markos Vamvakaris, Manolis Chiotis, Kostas Skarvelis Vasilis Tsitsanis are some of the composes of the songs that we are going to learn.
- Of course, since we are talking about folk music, improvisation cannot be missing.
- For each modal scale we will learn there will be examples
of improvisation.
TIMETABLE : 10am – 1pm // 2pm – 4pm
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
- The type of master class will be Open – Music Group and all instruments are welcome. The participants level should be at a reasonably good level on their respective instruments.
- We will work with scores as well as by ear but a good level of ability to read sheet music is essential
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BIOGRAPHY
Dimitris Mystakidis is a Greek folk guitar virtuoso, who for the last 20 years has pursued his personal quest investigating the roots and branches of rembetiko. A multiinstrumentalist,
Mystakidis joined forces with a great number of Greek artists, including composers, musicians and vocalists, while the most long-lasting collaborations were with the composer and performer Nikos Papazoglou and his band “Loxi Falagga” (Oblique Phalanx), and the composer, songwriter and performer Thanasis Papakonstantinou.
Mystakidis is a professor in the Department of Music Studies at University of Ioannina. He has published two books, for Greek Mainland Lute (Steryianó Laoúto) and for Greek Folk Guitar (Laikí Kithára).
Mystakidis has performed in world music festivals and venues across Europe.
In December 2006, he released his first solo album, ‘16 Rembetika Tragoudia me Kithara’ (‘16 Rembetika for Guitar’), in which – for the first time in Greek music history – rembetiko songs were arranged exclusively for folk guitar. This work was so impactful that nowadays, numerous rembetiko bands are following Mystakidis’ steps. World Music Network (UK) showcased this album and included it in Rough Guide’s album Greek Café as a bonus CD, while Introducing released the album digitally in 2012.
Mystakidis’ zeal to approach rembetiko repertoire to all its depths, has led him to release, along with Evgenios Voulgaris, Apostolos Tsardakas and Theodora Athanasiou, a second album, ‘Apsilies’ (2009) with rembetiko songs from pre-war and Smyrna (Izmir) era and his third album, ‘Psithirizontas to Rembetiko’ (‘Whispering Rembetiko’), along with Evgenios
Voulgaris in 2013, with rembetiko songs arranged for folk guitar and yayli tambour.
His next album ‘Esperanto’, Mystakids’ second solo recording was released in November 2015, including sixteen songs from the post-war repertoire, exclusively arranged and performed with the guitar and with the participation of some of the greatest Greek vocalists.
His latest album ‘Amerika’ was released in April 2017, including songs that were written by Greek immigrants in America over a century ago. In this album, Mystakidis revives the forgotten “tsibiti” guitar style of these musicians, a technique that is clearly influenced by the fingerpicking technique of African-American bluesmen.
Discography links :
https://youtu.be/vMlVBWonzFw?si=-oOpl8tLjLF4Vwvu
https://youtu.be/Phuf739xrYI?si=KBC31e-l9Mjlx1Xr
https://youtu.be/Ip6a7v84GfA?si=xEmHYW-JHwsWf0wd
Video links :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2VSi3zDNtc&t=25s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8luXRi9YBRA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ3HCMUEeEo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXjygcjDv3o&t=3902s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5xuZdcO7a8