Music and dance have been a part of Greek culture for thousands of years. In ancient times, choruses made up of men, women, and children were formed to sing for religious rites, to perform poetry set to music for weddings and funerals, and just for entertainment.
Two important instruments in ancient Greece were the aulos, a double-pipe, double-reed instrument, and the lyre, a plucked string instrument. The kithara was a special kind of lyre that was played mostly by professionals. Some scholars believe that the name "guitar" comes from the Greek word kithara. Playing contests were held for aulos and kithara players. These professional musicians were highly regarded in society.
Children in Greece have always sung songs and played singing games. Most of these songs and games are about daily life and nature. One Greek singing game involves seeking a hidden ring. These songs and games have been passed from one generation to the next as oral traditions.
Some Greek folk instruments are different on the mainland than they are on the islands. On the mainland, solo instruments include the clarinet, an oboe-like instrument, and the violin, and accompaniment instruments include the lute, a kind of dulcimer, and the tambourine. On the islands, solo instruments include the bagpipe, the lyra (a three-stringed, upright fiddle), and the violin, and accompaniment instruments include a small drum, two kinds of lute, a different kind of dulcimer, and a big drum hung over the shoulder and hit with a stick. |
