Macedonian Folk Music You Can Find on YouTube

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

YouTube is a great resource for finding Macedonian folk music. You can find a variety of traditional songs and dances from different regions of Macedonia.

The Origins of Macedonian Folk Music

Macedonian folk music is a mixture of the music of the Slavic people who settled in the region, as well as the music of the Byzantines, Greeks, Turks, and Albanians. The music is characterized by complex rhythms and colorful melodies.

The Ottoman Empire

Folk music from the Ottoman Empire was often characterized by nightingale singing, which could be either solo or in a group. The music was often improvisational, and the lyrics were usually about love. In some cases, instruments were used, but not always.

Macedonian folk music has its origins in the music of the Ottoman Empire. This can be seen in the use of nightingale singing, which is a common element of Macedonian folk music. The Ottoman Empire was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state, and this is reflected in the diversity of Macedonian folk music. This diversity can be seen in the use of different instruments and in the different styles of singing.

The Balkan Wars

Macedonia was included in the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria fought over control of the region. The fighting in Macedonia was particularly fierce, with many atrocities committed by all sides. Macedonian music from this period is characterized by a wide range of influences, from the music of Turkey and Albania to that of Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria.

The Instruments of Macedonian Folk Music

The music of Macedonia is extremely varied, with its folk music being especially noteworthy. The music of Macedonia is characterized by its use of a wide range of instruments. The most important instruments in traditional Macedonian music include the гајдула (a type of clarinet), the тавурница (a type of tamburitza), and the дараганац (a type of drum).

The Gaida

The gaida is a traditional folk instrument from Macedonia. It is a type of bagpipe, and it is typically played by shepherds. The gaida is made from a goat’s skin, and it has two chanters and one drone. The drone is usually tuned to the tonic pitch of the chanter, and the chanter can be tuned to either the tonic or dominant pitch. The gaida is often used to play folk songs, and it is also sometimes used in folk dances.

The Kaval

The kaval is a end-blown flute traditionally used in the folk music of Macedonia. The instrument is also known by other names in other parts of the Balkans, including the kavalsi in Albania, the kavala in Bulgaria, and the kavalos in Greece. It is typically made from a single piece of wood, with six finger holes and one for the thumb. The kaval has a high, thin sound that penetrates through the noise of other instruments and can be heard from a great distance.

The Tambura

The Tambura is a long-necked lute, usually with four or five strings. It is the most popular instrument in Macedonian folk music, and can be found in various forms across the Balkans. The instrument is believed to have its origins in Persia, and it was first introduced to the Balkans in the 14th century by the Ottoman Empire. The tambura is typically played by men, and is used to accompany singing and dancing. It is also a popular solo instrument, and there are many virtuosic players who perform complex pieces that show off their technique.

The tambura has a distinctive sound that is immediately recognizable. The body of the instrument is usually made from spruce or maple, and the strings are made from gut or nylon. The strings are plucked with the fingers, and the sound is amplifiend by a resonant chamber inside the body of the instrument. The tambura typically has a range of about two octaves, but some instruments have more strings and a greater range.

The tuning of the tambura varies depending on region and personal preference, but there are some common tunings that are used in Macedonian folk music. One popular tuning is known as “Globaljka”, which uses open fourths and fifths. This tuning gives the tambura a bright, ringing sound that can be heard clearly over other instruments. Other common tunings include “Doruntinka” and “Kucanka”, which both use intervals of thirds. These tunings give the tambura a more mellow sound that blends well with other instruments.

The tambura can be played solo or in ensemble with other instruments. In a solo setting, the tambura can be used to play complex pieces that show off the virtuosity of the player. In an ensemble setting, the tambura typically plays a supporting role, providing chords and rhythms that underpin the melody played by another instrument such as the gajda ( bagpipe) or kaval ( flute).

The Styles of Macedonian Folk Music

There are many different types of Macedonian folk music, each with their own unique style. The most common style is the oro, which is a fast-paced, upbeat style of music. Other popular styles include the daichovo horo, which is a slower, more melodic style, and the ilindenka, which is a more modern style of Macedonian folk music.

Wedding Music

Macedonian folk music is highly diversified and important to the history of the nation. It is unique because of the many influences that have shaped it over the centuries.

One of the most important styles of Macedonian folk music is wedding music. This type of folk music is played at weddings and other special occasions. It is usually very lively and festive, and often includes traditional instruments such as the gajda (a type of flute) and tambura (a string instrument).

Wedding music is typically divided into two categories: fast songs and slow songs. Fast songs are usually played during the wedding ceremony, while slow songs are usually played during the reception. Some of the most popular Macedonian wedding songs include “Izlel je Delyo Hagdutin”, “Jano Mori”, and “Pravo Oro”.

If you’re interested in hearing Macedonian wedding music, there are many videos available on YouTube.

Funeral Music

Macedonian funeral music is characterized by its slow, solemn tempo and its sad, emotional lyrics. This type of music is often played at funeral ceremonies to help mourners reflect on the life of the deceased.

Some of the most popular Macedonian funeral songs include “Bela Cigan4ica” (“White Gypsy”), “Dajte Mi Voda Da Se Napijam” (“Give Me Water to Drink”), and “Koga Umira Ladniot Den” (“When the Cool Day Dies”).

Dance Music

Dance music is the most popular type of Macedonian folk music. It is often played at weddings and other festive occasions. The most common instruments used in this type of music are the clarinet, accordion, and violin.

One of the most famous Macedonian dances is the Oro, which is a circle dance that is usually performed by a group of women. Another popular dance is the Cacak, which is a line dance that is typically performed by men.

Famous Macedonian Folk Musicians

You can find a lot of Macedonian folk music on YouTube. There are many famous Macedonian folk musicians, such as Esma Redzepova, Trajko Prokopiev, and Stojan Stojkov. You can find a lot of their music on YouTube.

Trajko Prokopiev

Trajko Prokopiev was born in the village of Galicnik in 1903. He is considered one of the most important composers of Macedonian folk music. He was a member of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the National Folklore Ensemble. He composed over 400 folk songs, many of which are popular to this day. You can find some of his most famous compositions on YouTube, including “Balkan Sunrise” and “Oh, Lovely Macedonia”.

Kiril Makedonski

Macedonian folk musician Kiril Makedonski is a popular YouTube personality, renowned for his traditional Macedonian music. A skilled performer on the gajda (a traditional Macedonian bagpipe), Makedonski has become a popular figure in Macedonian folk circles. He has released several videos of his performances, both solo and with his band, which have amassed a large following on YouTube. In addition to his music videos, Makedonski also regularly posts vlogs detailing his life as a folk musician in Macedonia. His down-to-earth personality and passion for his craft have made him a beloved figure among folk music fans on YouTube.

Aleksandar Sarievski

Aleksandar Sarievski (Macedonian: Александар Сариевски) is a famous Macedonian folk musician. He was born in the village of Saraj, in the Struga municipality. He finished music school in his hometown and later went on to study at the Academy of Music in Skopje.

Sarievski is one of the most popular musicians in Macedonia and is well known for his interpretation of traditional Macedonian folk songs. He has been a member of several ensembles, including the Folk Instruments Orchestra of Macedonia and the Ansambl na narodni instrumenti (Ensemble of Folk Instruments). He has also been a soloist with the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra and has toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States.

Sarievski has released several albums of Macedonian folk music, including “Makedonske narodne pesni” (Macedonian Folk Songs), “Cvet na momino oro” (The Flower in My Mother’s Garden), and “Narodni ora” (Folk Dances). His album “Aleksandar Sarievski & Friends: Makedonski Narodni Pesni” was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010.

Where to Find Macedonian Folk Music on YouTube

Macedonian folk music is a type of music that is unique to the country of Macedonia. This music is a mix of traditional Macedonian music, as well as music from the Balkans and other parts of the world. You can find a wide variety of Macedonian folk music on YouTube.

Folk Macedonia

If you’re interested in learning more about Macedonian folk music, or you’re just curious to hear what it sounds like, there are quite a few videos available on YouTube. You can find folk music from all over Macedonia, as well as from the neighbouring countries of Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, and Serbia.

Here are some of the most popular Macedonian folk music videos on YouTube:

1. “Dedo Mili Dedo” by Teodora Andreeva
2. “Jovano Jovanke” by Aleksandra Pop-Jordanova
3. “Prorokat na narodnoto vostanie” by Fortuna
4. “Raca Zmija” by Ansambl Toše Proeski
5. “Sto mi e milo ta e Lubeno” by Esma Redžepova

Macedonian Folk Music Channel

Macedonian Folk Music You Can Find on YouTube:
1. Dunavski Cvet
2. Jana Oman
3. Stojne Stojne
4. Makedonske Narodne Pesme
5. Macedonian Folk Songs

Traditional Macedonian Music

You can find many videos of traditional Macedonian music on YouTube. The music is often played on instruments such as the gajda (a type of bagpipe), the tambura (a string instrument), and the zurla (a type of flute).

Similar Posts