17 Greek Zeibekika (Nine Eight) Paperback – December 18, 2024

This volume of the “Nine Eight” series is dedicated to Zeibekiko, probably the most characteristic rhythm of Greek folk music. Some of the most intense, solitary and heavy emotions that we have ever encountered in this musical genre, have been expressed through this unique rhythm. The musical time signature of zeibekiko is 9/8, divided in 2-2-2-3. This scheme with the extra 8th note at the end of the pattern which breaks the symmetry, gives to it its distinctive feeling of continuous flow and instability and its emotional charge and tension that looks for release.This collection includes as many forms and styles of zeibekiko as possible, since the 1930s. From the pre-war rebetika with their plain harmony and the fast 9/8 time signature, to the sophisticated and lyrical zeibekika of Hadjidakis and Plessas and the modern slow 9/8 with their quick phrases and rich double bouzouki harmonies.All 17 songs of the book have been arranged for all the instruments of a basic folk band. Particularly, they consist of one singing voice, 1st and 2nd bouzouki (whenever it is not redundant), one baglamas and one classical guitar. Most of them are based on the traditional 3-string bouzouki, but there are also a few based on the modern 4-string bouzouki. There is even one song only played on baglamas with no bouzouki at all. The musical arrangements presented here are the outcome of a very thorough work, so that they remain devoted to the original compositions and maintain a balance between the beautiful plainness of the music phrases a the rich and challenging playing.Song contents: Adynatisa o kaimenos, Karadouzeni (Eprepe na 'rhosouna), Argile mou giati svinis, I baglamades, Horisame ena dilino, Oso varia ine ta sidera, Magisses ferte votana, Se liga defterolepta, Dyo portes ehi i zoi, Ime aitos horis ftera, Me to voria, To agalma, De tha ksanagapiso, Zeibekiko (M' aeroplana ke vaporia), Paraponemena logia, Κi allos enas magas pai, Roza Read more