Embodying the whole musical history of a country in 3 weeks is an impossible feat. And that’s coming from somebody who tried to do it. As soon as I began my experiences, it became clear to me that a simple timeline couldn’t grasp the musical history of a country.

Trying to piece together the puzzle of Greek music from my scattered experiences Greece’s musical evolution was at times overwhelming and at other times more fulfilling then any project I’ve endeavored at TGS. I went from meeting with a Lyre constructionist who plays for multiple socio-political hip hop groups, to learning the Baglamas, an instrument at the heart of Rembetiko music, to meeting with a Greek producer obsessed with mixing and mastering to piece everything to my final song.

The dizzying history of Greek music is painted with stories of despair, love, joy, conquer, and defeat. It is interspersed with influences as far and wide as Eastern microtones and Chicago Drill. From the lyre tuned with precise tetrachords during the Ancient Greek period to the fusion of traditional instruments like bagpipes with Hip-Hop with groups like Social Waste, the vastness of Greek music always left me in awe.

But through experience I had, there was one common thread.

Greek music is based on emotions. Emotions that come from love that can’t be replicated. Emotions of inescapable poverty. Emotions rebellion against the systems that chained them. Emotions of a global power with so much vastness and richness there is no other option but to sing them across their Agora. Emotions of a dwindling country dealing with economic crises and academic failures.

Greek music isn’t just a timeline. It’s a story of a land that has reach the peak of society and fell as hard as they climbed. When I was creating the idea for my final piece, I kept that in mind.

My final piece featured a baglamas playing Tsifteteli (or belly dancing style) rhythm for the main melody influenced by my understanding of Rebetiko music as the basic for popular traditional music in Greece. The chorus featured a chopped up sample of Professor Psaroudakes demonstrating what Ancient Greek poetry sounds like to include the importance of Ancient Greek music on current day music. Then, the rest of the beat features a characteristic drill rhythm, that is becoming increasingly popular with Hip-Hop being one of the most listened to genres in Greece.

I’m incredibly proud of this project beyond the final piece I created. This process is a true testament to the importance of having a clear process, putting myself out there to get the information I need, and always being curious.