Traditional Music from Bulgaria

Bulgarian folk music can be recognized as traditional Balkan music from Southeastern Europe.  Bulgarian folk music distinguishes from other Balkan music, which can be explained by its unique combination of rhythms, harmony and polyphony. Furthermore regions within Bulgaria have their own musical characteristics:

1. Severnjaško (north): Gabrovo, Lovech, Pleven, Razgrad, Rouse, Targovište
2. Dobrudža (north-east): Silistra, Dobrich, Varna
3. Trakija or Thrace, and Strandža (south-east): Yambol, Plovdiv, Sliven, Stara Zagora,
4. Bourgas
5. Rodopes (south): Pazardjik, Smoljan, Haskovo
6. Pirin or Bulgarian Macedonia (south-west): Blagoevgrad
7. Šop or Šopluk (west): Kjustendil, Pernik, Sofia
8. (north-west): Vidin, Montana, Vratsa

Bulgarian folk music is typically performed with traditional instruments like gaida (goat-skin bagpipe), kaval (end-blown flute), gadulka (string instrument), tapan (large double-headed drum), tambura (lute) and tarabuka (finger-drum). Another dimension was added to the (city) music with modern instruments like accordion, clarinet, saxophone, drum set, electric brass and electric guitar. 

Traditional Music from Bulgaria

Bulgarian folk music can be recognized as traditional Balkan music from Southeastern Europe.  Bulgarian folk music distinguishes from other Balkan music, which can be explained by its unique combination of rhythms, harmony and polyphony. Furthermore regions within Bulgaria have their own musical characteristics:

1. Severnjaško (north): Gabrovo, Lovech, Pleven, Razgrad, Rouse, Targovište
2. Dobrudža (north-east): Silistra, Dobrich, Varna
3. Trakija or Thrace, and Strandža (south-east): Yambol, Plovdiv, Sliven, Stara Zagora,
4. Bourgas
5. Rodopes (south): Pazardjik, Smoljan, Haskovo
6. Pirin or Bulgarian Macedonia (south-west): Blagoevgrad
7. Šop or Šopluk (west): Kjustendil, Pernik, Sofia
8. (north-west): Vidin, Montana, Vratsa

Bulgarian folk music is typically performed with traditional instruments like gaida (goat-skin bagpipe), kaval (end-blown flute), gadulka (string instrument), tapan (large double-headed drum), tambura (lute) and tarabuka (finger-drum). Another dimension was added to the (city) music with modern instruments like accordion, clarinet, saxophone, drum set, electric brass and electric guitar. 

Terk In Amerika - a Balkan Musical Odyssey

I'm reading a fascinating book right now about the origins of "Terk in Amerika". It turns out it's from a 15th century Ottoman Turkish song called Uskudara gider iken (on the road to Uskadar). The song evolved as it progressed through many Balkan countries solidifying in the popular musics of Turkey, Greece, Klezmer, Arab Middle East and Romania.

I will present some of what I've learned at the next Klezmer workshop at my studio if you're interested please come! The workshop meets Tuesday nights from 7-8:30

http://books.google.com/books?id=E6FYiC_XjgoC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false