| When Americans think about German music, they | | | | set of instruments. The tradition is unique and dates |
| associate it with the Polka-band sounds they hear at | | | | back well over a hundred years, so the instruments |
| the various Oktoberfests held around the country. | | | | associated with it are also quite distinctive and |
| What most of them don't know, however, is that | | | | time-honored. The instruments most Volksmusik |
| the music I have just described is only one among | | | | bands play are squarely in the Alpine tradition and are |
| the many kinds of German folk sounds. I don't know | | | | matched to make groups sound rich and complete. |
| if anyone ever tried to classify all of them, and I | | | | Furthermore, the instruments are played following a |
| definitely won't attempt it here. However, I want to | | | | clearly-established traditional technique, which even |
| introduce and explain one particular kind of | | | | today is cultivated in music-schools and |
| Volksmusik, which I consider to be the most | | | | conservatories in the Alpine regions. In other words, |
| authentic in the regions between Bavaria, Austria and | | | | what you play isn't the only thing to matter: how you |
| Northern Italy. | | | | play it is just as important. |
| The main kinds of Volksmusik | | | | Here is a list of some of the most commonly heard |
| In general terms, we could say that there are three | | | | Alpine Volksmusik instruments, along of a brief |
| main kinds of Volksmusik. From most to least | | | | description of their characteristics. |
| commercial (and I use the word with no negative | | | | Zither |
| connotations whatsoever), these are: | | | | The Zither is a table-top instrument belonging to the |
| 1 - Volkstuemliche Musik. Volkstuemliche Musik is the | | | | plucked-string family, and it achieved worldwide fame |
| most similar to what Americans are used to hear. | | | | by the soundtrack of the movie The Third Man. It |
| Cheerful themes, cheerful rhythms (mostly Polkas), | | | | consists of a fretboard with five strings whose pitch |
| some modern instruments like drums, electric bass, | | | | is controlled by the left hand, plus a number of |
| electronic keyboards and a repertoire mainly | | | | unfretted strings tuned in the circle of fifths. The |
| detached from a historical tradition. At its highest | | | | right hand picks the fretboard strings with a |
| level, volkstuemliche Musik brings huge crowds and | | | | thumb-ring while striking the bass and accompaniment |
| the musicians are true local pop-stars. | | | | with the ring, middle and index fingers. |
| 2 - Oberkrainer Musik. Oberkrainer Musik stems | | | | The main difficulty in playing the Zither is coordination. |
| originally from Slovenia. The typical ensemble has one | | | | The right thumb has to be completely independent |
| or two accordions, a clarinet and trumpet playing in | | | | from the other fingers to play the melody with |
| harmony, a bass and/or tuba (or other bass brass | | | | feeling and expressiveness, while the other three |
| instrument) and a semi-acoustic guitar. Oberkrainer | | | | fingers have to strike the rhythm in tempo and with |
| pieces are generally also cheerful and the themes are | | | | a good bounce. |
| happy, although there is more variety in the | | | | There are two main tunings for the Zither: the |
| dance-rhythms used. There is a heavy emphasis on | | | | Bavarian and the Viennese. |
| instrumental virtuosity and, there is often copious | | | | Steirische Harmonika |
| borrowing of repertoire from echte Volksmusik. | | | | A quintessential Alpine instrument, the Steirisches |
| 3 - Authentic Alpine Volksmusik (echte | | | | Accordion gets its name from Steiermark (Styria), a |
| Alpenlaendische Volksmusik). This music is played | | | | region of Austria that has produced countless |
| mostly in Bavaria, Austria and Sudtirol (Italy), and its | | | | excellent Volksmusikanten. It has three or more rows |
| roots extend back to the late 18th century. The | | | | of buttons played by the right hand, each producing |
| greatest majority of the repertoire is also | | | | the notes of a key's major triad upon pushing on the |
| historical--mainly pieces that have been passed down | | | | bellows and dominant seventh (plus a few other |
| unwritten through generations, and that are | | | | notes) upon pulling; and a corresponding number of |
| therefore subject to regional variations in both music | | | | basses played by the left hand. |
| and lyrics. Echte Volksmusik instruments include the | | | | The Steirische can only play in the keys |
| steirische Harmonika (buttonbox accordion), the | | | | corresponding to the rows of buttons it has. For |
| Zither, the Classical guitar, the harp, the double bass; | | | | instance, a Steirische that only has three rows (e.g. |
| plus clarinets, trumpets, violins and other, less-used | | | | G, C, F), can only play in G, C and F. It has a |
| instruments like the Ocarina, the Jew's Harp and a | | | | distinctively brassy bass called Helikon, which is |
| sort of Mountain xylophone called Hoelzernes | | | | reminiscent of a tuba or Posaune, and that makes |
| Glachter. Rhythms are varied, while themes range | | | | the Steirische's sound unmistakable. |
| from the upbeat to the melancholic. | | | | Classical Guitar |
| The anatomy of authentic Volksmusik | | | | The Classical guitar is one of the main |
| Authentic (echte) Volksmusik comes in many | | | | accompaniment instruments in authentic Alpine folk |
| different guises, such as Stubenmusi (mountain | | | | music. It is played mostly with the fingers of the right |
| lounge music), Saitenmusi (string-band music), duets, | | | | hand (without a pick), with the thumb playing bass |
| trios, quartets, etc. of different makeups ranging | | | | notes and bass-runs, and the other fingers |
| from the purely instrumental to the a cappella. | | | | performing the chords. |
| If I had to describe the typical Volksmusik piece, I | | | | Although physically similar to the Classical Spanish |
| would do so in the following manner, bearing in mind | | | | guitar known virtually everywhere, the Alpine Classical |
| that this is a generalization and that there are many | | | | guitar calls for a special playing technique and a |
| exceptions. | | | | consummate feel for this type of music. A very |
| A large part of this music is based on dance-rhythms | | | | characteristic accompaniment type is an "oom-pah" |
| typical of the area. Although Americans usually | | | | pattern in which the bass is kept very short by |
| associate German music with Polkas, perhaps the | | | | stopping it almost immediately with the palm or back |
| most prevalent dances in authentic Volksmusik are | | | | of the thumb, while the chord is left ringing more |
| the Landler and the Boarischer. The Polka and the | | | | freely. There are a number of interesting bass-runs |
| Walzer (waltz) have of course a place of honor, | | | | that are characteristic of Alpine music, and that add |
| albeit more as "accent pieces" than as main fare. | | | | bounce and zest to any piece. |
| Most phrases are eight or sixteen bars long, and the | | | | The guitar is also used as a melody instrument, |
| greatest majority of pieces can be danced to--with | | | | primarily with other guitars and/or harps, zithers and |
| (generally) the exception of the Yodlers and some | | | | similar stringed instruments. |
| songs. | | | | The Hackbrett |
| The Boarischer | | | | The Hackbrett is a sort of hammered dulcimer. Its |
| The Boarischer is one of the bounciest dances in the | | | | use is either melodic-harmonic, i.e. playing along with |
| Alpine tradition, and one of the absolute favorites | | | | other instruments in harmony; or rhythmic, i.e. playing |
| among locals. With its name being dialect for | | | | eight-notes while the other instruments play longer |
| Bayrischer (Bavarian), it is a leisurely, more hopping | | | | values. It is very common in the Stubenmusi and |
| variation of the Polka, i.e. a dance in 2/4 time, not | | | | Saitenmusi varieties of Alpine Volksmusik and it lends |
| coincidentally also called Bayrisch Polka. In Austria it is | | | | itself wonderfully for indoor, unmiked venues. |
| also known as Bauernpolka, or Farmer's Polka. | | | | Schrammel Guitar |
| Dating from the mid-19th century, the Boarischer is | | | | The Schrammel guitar consists of a regular Classical |
| danced in several ways, including the Offener | | | | guitar with a second unfretted neck on which are |
| Boarischer (open Boarischer) and the Figuren | | | | stretched nine additional bass strings generally tuned |
| Boarischer (figure Boarischer). | | | | chromatically from the Eb just below the guitar's 6th |
| The Landler | | | | string down to the G below--although alternative |
| The Landler or Ländler is a 3/4 time dance | | | | tunings are permitted. |
| originating in the final decades of the 18th century. It | | | | This type of guitar was made popular in the turn of |
| can be as quick as a Classical waltz or as slow as a | | | | the last century by Viennese "Schrammelmusik" |
| sweet lullaby, which gives it incredible versatility. | | | | groups, where this guitar accompanied instruments |
| Together with the Boarischer, it is one of the most | | | | like violins and clarinets. The thumb of the right hand |
| widespread dances for authentic Alpine music. | | | | plays the bass strings as well as the bass range of |
| The Landler is also the type of dance often used by | | | | the guitar's regular strings, while the other fingers |
| Schuhplattlers, who take advantage of its slightly | | | | play the higher notes fingered by the left hand on |
| slower tempo to showcase the intricacies of their | | | | the guitar's fretboard. |
| arm- and footwork. Similarly, quicker Landlers are | | | | Naturally, the Schrammel guitar can also be played as |
| often used by musicians to showcase technical | | | | a regular Classical guitar when called for. |
| prowess, since they normally feature more | | | | The Harp, Double Bass and Other Instruments |
| note-intensive passages than their Classical cousin, | | | | Few know that the modern pedal harp owes at least |
| the Waltz. | | | | some of its roots to Tyrol, the region of Austria |
| The Polka | | | | bordering Italy. In Volksmusik, the harp is used in a |
| The Polka became standardized in the first half of | | | | very eclectic manner--either as a solo instrument or |
| the 1800s--its name meaning "Polish" and originating, | | | | as accompaniment to other instruments. |
| not coincidentally, in Eastern Europe. It is a quick | | | | The double bass is almost ubiquitous in larger groups, |
| dance in 2/4 time, and for many, it has become | | | | where its deep notes form the harmonic basis as well |
| synonymous with German music--particularly | | | | as the main rhythmic scansion. It can be played either |
| Oktoberfest music. | | | | plucked or with a bow, but either way, in dances it is |
| In authentic Volksmusik, the Polka is heard less often | | | | played mostrly in short, staccato notes. It is the |
| than its other 2/4-time cousin, the Boarischer. | | | | "oom" of the "oom-pah" rhythm, mostly playing |
| The Waltz | | | | alternating root and fifth of the chord currently being |
| The Waltz is a dance in 3/4 time, originating from the | | | | played by the other instruments. A common variation |
| Minuet and the Deutscher Tanz of the 18th century. | | | | (or addition to) the double bass is a bass brass |
| It has a strong flowing swing that makes it a favorite | | | | instrument like the tuba. |
| among dancers, and it was of course the | | | | Other commonly-heard instruments include the |
| battle-horse of the great Viennese composer Johann | | | | clarinet, trumpet and the violin, while among the |
| Strauss. | | | | sounds occasionally heard are that of the Ocarina, |
| With Alpine music, however, the Waltz often takes | | | | the Jew's Harp, the Mountain Xylophone (Hoelzernes |
| second place to the Landler, although the two can be | | | | Glachter) and the funny-named and funny-looking |
| danced similarly. | | | | Teufelsgeige, or Devil's fiddle, a rhythmic percussion |
| The Marsch | | | | instrument. |
| The Marsch (march) is recognizable by its military-like | | | | Alpine Volksmusik in the USA |
| rhythm of 2/4 or 4/4. It is often used as the entry | | | | Alpine Volksmusik is not easy to find in the USA--at |
| piece for dancers in traditional Alpine music, or even | | | | least, as played by competent musicians |
| in Schuhplattling. Although they are dance-pieces, | | | | knowledgeable of the tradition. There are a few |
| many marches also have lyrics in one or more of | | | | individuals and/or groups scattered around the |
| their sections--oftentimes some of the most joyful | | | | country, who will be delighted to share their passion |
| and anthem-like within the tradition. | | | | for this wonderful music form with those interested. |
| Vocal music | | | | Players of this music, echte Volksmusikanten, |
| Vocal music in this tradition is mainly divided between | | | | approach their music and their instruments almost |
| songs and Yodlers. The majority of the songs are | | | | with Classical meticulosity, although at gig time you |
| accompanied by instruments, follow one of the | | | | will see all the joie-de-vivre and the zest that is, itself, |
| dance-rhythms mentioned above, and may or may | | | | a great part of this tradition. |
| not contain a section sung yodel-style. Themes vary | | | | The best way to hear what authentic Volksmusik |
| from the nostalgic to the downright bawdy, from the | | | | sounds like is to visit YouTube and to search for |
| love or work-ethic to the "wink-wink" double meaning. | | | | "echte Volksmusik" or for names like Franz Posch. |
| On the other hand, most Yodlers are slow, flowing | | | | I hope that with this short article, you will be more |
| wordless harmonies sung a cappella, and their sounds | | | | inclined to get to know and appreciate the wonderful |
| are reminiscent of pure Alpine echoes. | | | | sounds of Alpine Volksmusik--which is a breath of |
| The Instruments of Traditional Alpine Volksmusik | | | | fresh mountain air that will make everyone smile |
| Traditional Alpine Volksmusik uses a very well-defined | | | | every time that it is played. |