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One of the South's top mandolin & fiddle shops
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Gypsys are descended from the Roma, a long persecuted culture driven from
India’s Punjab region ca 900 AD by invading Islamic forces. They reached
what is now Romania by the mid 1300s, soon suffering persecution and
enslavement as suspected Muslim sympathizers. The Roma still suffer
persecution. Thousands live as refugees from Kosovo, fleeing the latest
wave of “ethnic cleansing.” The Nazi killers also targeted the Roma, who
killed perhaps 500,000 gypsys. Economic pressure, prejudice, and physical
danger drive the Roma into nomadic life, not the romantic yearning for the
road. Romani persecution continues, but is outside the scope of this short
exposition. Their long-term marginalization forced the Roma outside state
structures developed by other ethnic groups, and they remain segregated,
discriminated against, and persecuted. Do some web searching. The Roma
highlight the dark side of the EU quite well and are still discriminated against
in the US. Indeed, the last anti-Roma law in the US was repealed in 1998.
Little wonder that the Roma consider themselves a tribe outside of states and
borders.
From the beginning, the Roma were entertainers of themselves and others.
In spite of continuing repression, János Bihari, a Romani composer and
bandleader, popularized "Hungarian dance" music in the late 18th Century.
And we’re familiar with the “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other Roma influenced
works. Indeed, the music of Andalusia enjoyed Gitano (Gypsy) influence from
about 1500 AD and still bears the unique Roma mark. Current Romani music
springs primarily from Hungary and Romania, but extends greatly from Spain
to the Balkans. Romani people tend to be marginalized and live as extended
families. Musicians in Romania often live as extended families on the “Strada
Lautari” (Musicians Street). The typical group is headed up by the Primás,
the lead violinist. Several other violin type instruments provide rhythm or
accompany the Primás. These may include the 3-stringed, flat-bridged
contra (Kontra) positioned against the chest, and a bass either bowed or
plucked. Other common instruments include the cimbalom (hammered
dulcimer), piano accordion, clarinet and guitar. Gypsy bands began touring
Europe in the mid 18th Century and remain popular.
Gypsy violinists generally exhibit great skill, passion, and virtuosity. They use
all positions, sweeping chromatic runs, harmonics, pizzicato, and other
pyrotechnics. The repertoire usually reflects popular local tunes
transformed. One of the favorites is “The Lark,” imitating birdsongs.
Romanian and Hungarian folk fiddling remain popular, especially in
mountainous Transylvania. The substantial Hungarian minority maintain an
ancient way of life. In solidarity with their Hungarian brothers, bands such as
Muzsikás started the tánchás (dance house) movement in the 70's, reviving
the old folk music.
Hungarian and Romanian violin technique relies extensively on the vibrato
trill. The first and second fingers lie firm against each other, while the player
rocks in a strong vibrato, lifting the second finger. The pitch doesn’t change
much, but the bowed note sounds very different from the usual.
A special harmonic technique frequently appears in slow Romani music. As
the first finger plays a melody note, the fourth finger lightly touches the string
a fourth higher. The technique produces an ethereal whistling that can slide
from one note to the next. Another common technique is a fast slide on the E
string up to the top E harmonic.
Gypsy music of the Bihar region of Transylvania regularly relies on the
trumpet violin based on the Stroh Phonofiddle. A metal horn and diaphragm
amplify the bowed note, giving an exceptionally penetrating tone. Another
interesting variant is the Keman of southwest Moldavia, which relies on
sympathetic strings.
Bulgaria and Madeconia to the south have related musical traditions
emphasizing complex rhythm, but not as wedded to the violin. For example,
the gadulka descended from the rebec and tuned AEA gives a lingering echo
because of two sets of sympathetic strings. This instruments usually
occupies groups containing the kaval (end-blown flute), gaida (bagpipe) and
possibly tambura (a type of guitar) or tapan (a large drum). Rhythmic
structures include Ruchenitsa in 7/8 (2-2-3 or 3-2-2), 11/8 Kopanitsa (2-2-3-
2-2), and intense 22/16 (2-2-3-2-2-3-2-2-2-2-).
To the north, Transylvanian mountain culture carries into the Tatras of
Poland. The isolationist Gorale play music springing from 17th and 18th
Centuries, when local fighters fought a low-intensity war against occupying
landlords. Gorale music is exceptionally high energy with much yelling and
pyrotechnics. Wedding bands are common, often featuring the lead fiddle
(prym), several supporting violins, and a small three-stringed bass. Complex
rhythms and patterns mark the music. Poland also hosts a range of unique
instruments including the Suka, related to the gadulka .
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