At the moment, Greece is sliding into one of the most serious humanitarian crisis, in its modern history. For some of us who are incurable dreamers, the only antidote is art.
In ancient Greek mythology, the god Apollo (Απόλλων) was the leader of the Nine Muses (Εννέα Μούσες) who were nymphs associated to arts:
Ερατώ(Erato): erotic poetry
Ευτέρπη(Euterpe): lyric poetry
Θάλεια(Thalia): comedy and idyllic poetry
Καλλιόπη(Calliope): epic poetry
Κλειώ(Clio): history
Μελπομένη(Melpomene): tragedy
Ουρανία(Urania): astronomy
Πολύμνια(Polyhymnia): sacred hymn
Τερψιχόρη(Terpsichore): dance
By Ian B Scott under a CC license on flickr
The art of the muses was initially called μουσική (music). Later it took the meaning of music as we know it now and became an international word. The organic or instrumental music (οργανική μουσική) appeared for the first time in the 6th century BC.The most popular instrument was λύρα (lyre), a string instrument which was also a symbol of Apollo.
The Greek note names are: ντο, ρε, μι, φα, σολ, λα , σι (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
List of musical terms:
αναίρεση (η): natural sign
αρμονία (η): harmony
βαθύφωνος: bass / contralto
δίεση (η): sharp
έγχορδα (τα):string instruments
ημιτόνιο (το): semitone
κλειδί (το): key: το κλειδί του ντο / του σολ / του φα: the key of C / G / F
κλίμακα (η): scale: μείζων κλίμακα, ματζόρε: major scale / ελάσσων κλίμακα, μινόρε: minor scale
κρουστά (τα): percussion instruments
μελωδία (η):melody, tune
μεσόφωνος: mezzo-soprano
μέτρο (το):meter
μουσικός (ο,η): musician
νότα (η) / νότες (οι): note / notes
παρτιτούρα (η): sheet music
πνευστά (τα): wind instruments
οκτάβα (η): octave
όργανο (το): instrument: παίζω / μαθαίνω ένα όργανο: to play / to learn how to play an instrument
ορχήστρα (η): orchestra
ορχηστρικός-η-ο: orchestral
παίζω μουσική: to play music
παραφωνία (η): discord
πεντάγραμμο (το): staff
ρυθμός (ο): rhythm
συνθέτω μουσική: to compose music
συνθέτης (ο): composer
συγχορδία (η):chord
τενόρος (ο): tenor
τραγουδώ: to sing
Below there is a video of the piece of orchestral music Βροχή (Rain) by Manos Hatzidakis, one of the most significant Greek composers.
Ourania lives in Athens. She holds a degree in French Literature and a Master’s degree in Special Education for Children. Since 2008, she has been teaching Greek to foreigners.
Comments:
Nick Stamoulis:
There is a rich tradition of music in the Greek culture. The wealth of Greek vocabulary that pertains to music shows how vital it really is. In fact, while learning the Greek language, it’s important to have exposure to various parts of the culture. Bringing Greece alive through music is a great way to build the language skills.
Comments:
Nick Stamoulis:
There is a rich tradition of music in the Greek culture. The wealth of Greek vocabulary that pertains to music shows how vital it really is. In fact, while learning the Greek language, it’s important to have exposure to various parts of the culture. Bringing Greece alive through music is a great way to build the language skills.