Notes on Bulgarian Folk Music
Contents
A blog about my experiences with Bulgarian folk music and the people I’ve met while learning about it.
Introduction
Bulgarian folk music is unique and easily recognizable because of the complex rhythms. This is sometimes accomplished by atticulation—hitting the strings with the heel of the palm instead of using a bow. The music often features a soloist who improvises within guidelines set by the song’s structure.
The typical Bulgarian folk ensemble consists of about 15 musicians and includes a singer, two fiddlers, a gadulka player, a tambura player, an accordionist, and a drummer.
The history of Bulgarian music
Bulgarian music is a very important part of the country’s culture. It dates back to the time of the Thracians, who were the first people to settle in the region. Over the centuries, Bulgarian music has been influenced by a variety of cultures, including Turkish, Russian, and Greek.
Pre-Bulgarian music
The first features of Bulgarian music started to emerge with the arrival of the Bulgars in the 7th century. The new music blended with the existing Slavic culture and created a unique sound, which would later be known as “Bulgarian music”.
The first Bulgarian music was vocal and consisted of short love songs, called “chestiti”. These were usually accompanied by a type of folk instrument known as the “gudulka”.
Bulgarian folk music began to develop in earnest in the early Middle Ages. By the 11th century, there were already two main types of Bulgarian folk music: ” chanting ” and ” singing “. Chanting was usually done by priests or monks in monasteries, and consisted of long pieces with complex harmonies. Singing, on the other hand, was more popular among the general population and was typically done in groups ( mirroring the similar tradition of Gregorian chanting).
Bulgarian music during the Ottoman Empire
During the Ottoman Empire, Bulgarian music was influenced by Turkish music. This is most evident in the type of instruments that were used, as well as in the style of singing. One of the most popular instruments during this time was the gaida, which is a type of bagpipe. Other popular instruments included drums, cymbals, and string instruments such as the lute and tarabuka. Vocal music was also popular, and often featured works that were about love or nature.
Bulgarian music during the Soviet Union
During the years of the Communist regime in Bulgaria (1944-1989), music was used as a tool for propaganda. The government utilized music to promote the values of the socialist society and to celebrate the achievements of the Soviet Union. Folk music was particularly popular, as it was seen as a way to connect with the traditions of Bulgaria’s past. Composers were encouraged to incorporate folk elements into their music, and many popular songs were based on folk melodies.
However, not all music during this period was propagandistic. In the 1960s and 1970s, a number of Bulgarian composers began to experiment with avant-garde and electronic music. These composers were influenced by Western European trends, and their work was often suppressed by the government. Nevertheless, they managed to produce some innovative and challenging music that is only now beginning to be appreciated outside of Bulgaria.
Characteristics of Bulgarian music
Bulgarian music is characterized by a wide variety of folk instruments. The gaida, a type of bagpipe, is probably the best-known Bulgarian folk instrument. Other popular instruments include the tambura (a long-necked lute), the kaval (a type of flute), and the gadulka (a fiddle).
Rhythm
The meter in Bulgarian music is generally dactylic, meaning that each musical phrase is based on units of two (or multiples thereof), with the first unit being stressed, followed by two unstressed units. This creates a characteristic loping feel to the music, which can be quite hypnotic. The most common rhythm in Bulgarian music is 7/8, which is broken down into units of 2+2+3 (dum-dum-teks). This particular rhythm is known as жарко поле (zharko pole, “hot field”), and is commonly used for dances such as the horo. The concept of Zakoulska Petrova exists in some old records. It describes an 8-beat cycle which is used occasionally in folk songs from Thrace.
Other rhythms that are commonly used in Bulgarian music include 5/8 (2+3), 9/8 (2+2+2+3), 11/8 (4+2+3+2), and 13/8 (4+3+3+3). These last two rhythms are known respectively as cпятница (“Friday”) and субота (“Saturday”). They are named after the traditional days of rest in Bulgaria, when people would often gather to sing and dance.
One of the most distinctive features of Bulgarian rhythm is the way that odd-numbered rhythms are often used for slower, more lyrical songs, while even-numbered rhythms are used for faster, more danceable tunes. This means that 5/8 and 9/8 are often used for slow songs, while 13/8 may be used for a very fast dance tune.
Melodies
Bulgarian melodies are diatonic, based on major or minor scales, with a frequent use of chromaticism. They often have irregular phrases, odd numbers of measures, rhythms that are unrelated to the meter, and a great variety of melodic ornamentation. Melodies may be syllabic, with each note carrying equal weight (e.g., “Sednalo e Parvo Agne”), or they may have a more sing-song quality with clear melodic phrases (e.g., “Dilmano Dilber”).
Ornamentation is often elaborate and includes trills, turns, slides, mordents, and other devices. Vocal melodies are often embellished with these same types of decorations. In addition, vocalists may make use of glottal stops and other techniques to produce unique sounds.
Instrumental music is typically rhythmic and percussive, featuring heavy use of drums (particularly the tupan) and other percussion instruments. Cymbals are also prominent in many pieces, adding to the percussive sound. Folk songs typically have simple melodies that are easy to sing along with; dances usually have more complex melodies that are designed to show off the skill of the performers.
Harmony
Most Bulgarian music is based on minor scales, with the exception of some Christmas carols which are based on major scales. There are also a number of modes used, including the Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian modes, as well as the more unusual Chalga scale and Berber scale. Chalga is a major scale with a raised fourth degree, while Berber has a raised second degree. These two scales are used mainly in dances from the Rhodope Mountains in southern Bulgaria.
Bulgarian folk songs often make use of ornamentation, such as trills, shakes and turns. These embellishments are usually executed on either the first or last beat of a measure. In addition, Bulgarian folk tunes often feature irregular phrasing. This means that the melody may start on any beat of the measure, rather than always starting on the first beat.
Instruments used in Bulgarian music
The gaida is a traditional folk instrument from Bulgaria. It is a type of bagpipe that is blown by the player. The gaida has a chanter and a drone. The chanter is the part of the instrument that plays the melody. The drone is the part of the instrument that plays a constant note.
Traditional instruments
Traditional Bulgarian music uses a wide variety of instruments. Some of these are specific to certain regions, while others are more commonly found throughout the country.
Wind instruments include the kaval (a type of flute), the gadulka (a string instrument similar to a fiddle), and the tambura (a long-necked lute). Percussion instruments include the tupan (a large drum) and various types of cymbals. Other traditional instruments include the gaida (a bagpipe) and the accordion.
Modern instruments
The modern instruments used in Bulgarian music include the violin, the clarinet, the tambura (a long-necked lute), the gadulka (a short-necked fiddle), and the kaval (a flute). The gaida (bagpipe) is also used, though it is more commonly associated with traditional music.
Conclusion
Folk music in Bulgaria is highly diverse and has been influenced by a variety of factors throughout the country’s history. Despite this, there are some common themes and styles that can be found across the different regions.
Bulgarian folk music is known for its use of unusual time signatures, complex rhythms and innovative instrumentation. It is also often characterised by its use of drones, improvisation and modal scales.
The music of Bulgaria has been land limitations and foreign oppressors, but has also been shaped by the country’s geography and climate. The mountainous terrain of the country has led to a diversity of musical styles, while the hot summers and cold winters have also had an impact on the music.
Bulgarian folk music is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and continues to be popular today. It is performed at a variety of events and festivals, and is also heard on radio and television.
