Balkan Ensemble

What is the course about? 

Yugoslavia has a short but intense history, which is reflected in its folk music. In this course, we will undertake a small journey back in time (50 to 100 years) and a larger journey encompassing the vast area of Yugoslavia in its prime. Unlike his contemporary dictators, Tito was loved by most Yugoslavians, whether they were from Croatian or Kosovar regions and regardless of their religious roots. Before his regime, there were strong Ottoman influences in Macedonia and almost Hungarian-sounding pieces in Vojvodina. During Tito’s time, he was very keen on showcasing the wide range of cultures in the folk music of Yugoslavian state ensembles. As a result, sweet and innocent, almost child-like dance tunes are juxtaposed with frantic dances in complex time signatures and melodies that clearly feature Ottoman makam modes. 

This course is suitable for any pitched instrument, including guitars, mandolins, ouds, bowed and plucked strings, and wind instruments from any tradition. We are looking for a good mix of melodic instrumentalists and musicians who can cover rhythmic and chord-based accompaniments so our playing will sound rich and satisfying. If your instrument is unusual, please provide your notation needs and possibly the range of your instrument beforehand. 

What will we cover? 

We will study Yugoslavian folk dances from various regions. Several of these dances have second voices and typical ornamentation, all of which we will learn. Accompaniment chords and patterns are also included, as they drive the dance steps. Some of these will receive thorough study, while others will be played in a more jam session style. Although some improvisation may be included, most of the folk dances are set. We will also learn some of the dance steps. 

As we progress, we will watch and learn some of the dance steps, so that for the Sunday lunch session, we can have fun performing both together. This will make the music clearer and more meaningful for both musicians and dancers. 

What will we accomplish? By the end of this course you will be able to… 

By the end of this course, you will be able to confidently play several Yugoslavian dance tunes with accompaniments. You will be familiar with the appropriate ornamentation and phrasing, although achieving performance speed may require additional practice on your part. Additionally, you will have developed a simple band arrangement for all the pieces, which you can take back and perform with your own band. 

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills? 

Improver, confident, skillful.

How will the course be taught, and will any preparation be required? 

No specific preparation is needed for this course. As always in Gundula’s courses, most basic tunes will be studied by ear, using singing and imitation. Sheet music will be distributed to aid in learning by ear and serve as a basis for embellishment, articulation, and phrasing. It will also be used to study accompaniment chords and patterns for accordions, guitars, pianos, and more. 

Some other pieces will be played with minimal instruction; for the readers, from sheet music, and for the by-ear players, in a jam-session style. 

Is there anything I need to bring? 

Bring your instrument(s) in good working order, a pencil, and recording equipment (a phone or voice recorder will do). If you would like to join the dance steps, wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow free movement. 

What previous participants said about this course… 

‘Great varied programme. Very challenging for me!! But encouraging’ 

‘I drove home without the radio on, as I wanted to hang on to the music that was swirling around in my head from the week-end.’ 

‘Tuition was excellent with attention to personal needs’ 

Gundula Gruen is an expert enabler (and performer) and fun. She is the only teacher I have met in my 50 plus years of learning and teaching who has cured my learning-by-ear fear. She prepared our course thoroughly, planned for the unexpected, managed our different levels with tact and paced everything beautifully. 

‘I am just DELIGHTED that I have overcome my fear of learning by ear instead of notation. I loved playing through the music we learned and finding I could remember most of it.’