Gypsy Violin by Jamie Madrigal

GYPSY UNIT

GYPSIES (ROM, ROMANY) ARE A NOMADIC TRIBE WHO MIGRATED FROM NORTHERN INDIA AND SPRRAD THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST, EUROPE, EASTERN EUROPE, THE BRITISH ISLES AND BEYOND. GYPSY MUSICIANS HAVE HISTORICALLY MADE THEIR LIVING BY ASSIMILATING THE POPULAR MUSIC OF THE SURROUNDING CULTURE AND EMBELLISHING UPON IT, ALTHOUGH AUTHENTIC GYPSY MUSIC, WHICH THEY PLAY AMONG AND FOR THEMSELVES, IS QUITE DIFFERENT AND OFTEN MORE PRIMITIVE. AN EXCEPTION TO THIS IS THE FLASHY CLUB REPERTOIRE OF THE HUNGARIAN GYPSIES, WHO COMPOSED AND HANDED DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS A REPERTOIRE DESIGNED TO DISPLAY THEIR MASTERY OF THE INSTRUMENT.

THE GYPSY VIOLIN MUSIC WHICH HAS GAINED MOST ACCLAIM, MOST NOTABLY HUNGARIAN AND ROMANIAN, RIVALS AND SOME SAY SURPASSES, CLASSICAL IN ITS EXPLOITATION OF THE INSTRUMENT’S CAPABILITIES. IT EMPLOYS A FULL RANGE OF BOWINGS AND LEFT HAND TECHNIQUES FOUND IN THAT GENRE AND ADDITIONALLY SUCH FOLK FIDDLE IDIOMS AS GHOST NOTES, ORNAMENTS AND SLIDES. PLAYERS TYPICALLY MASTER EXPRESSIVE NUANCES, VIBRATO, AND RUBATI, AS WELL AS HARMONY AND ENSEMBLE PLAYING, AT A YOUNG AGE.

-Mary Ann Harbor


Teaching Gypsy style music can be a new fun way of introducing and reinforcing many different musical concepts.
Try using any of the following characteristics of gypsy music to incorporate during a warm-up

1.)Repetitive phrases that build in intensity
2.)Fast arpeggios and runs
3.)Syncopated rhythms
4.)Playing in position
6.) Swells and Sobs
7.)Melisma
8.)Minor keys
9.)Flattening and raising the 6th tone
10.)Tempo accelerations
11.)Series of bows all on the up bow
12.)Left hand pizzicato
13.)Slides using shaking or zig-zag like motion
14.)Grace notes that come from the scale tone below the primary pitch as well as from a chromatic step under leading up, whether not that chromatic tone is in the scale.
15.)Trills that are tight and fast.

Method/Books

Mel Bays Gypsy Violin by Mary Ann Harbor
Mark O'Connor Violin Method: Gypsy Fantastic by Mark O'Connor
Stephane Grappelli - Gypsy Jazz Violin Book/CD Set By Tim Kliphuis


Books/Discussion

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=5645
http://www.fiddlingaround.co.uk/hungarian/index.html
The Gypsies (The Peoples of Europe) [Paperback] Angus Fraser (Author)
The Gypsy Crown by Kate Forsyth
Madeline and the Gypsies (Picture Puffin) [Paperback]
Ludwig Bemelmans http://www.amazon.com/Madeline-Gypsies-Picture-Puffin-Bemelmans/dp/0140502610 (Author)

Videos

The Red Violin
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Vegabond Tales


Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQn6Qb-9mD8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx2PLdDPbZo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxHhSy36Klo

CDs

Master of the Russian Gypsy Violin
Oleg Ponomare | Format: Audio CD
Laszlo Berki - Hungary: The Gypsy Violin

Scores


CSARDAS   -   Vittorio Monti/arr. Mosier   -   WINGERT-JONES PUBLICATIONS
Editors' Choice 2009 
This famous violin showpiece sounds great as a full orchestra work! Although written by Italian Vittorio Monti, this well-loved work is regularly played by Gypsy orchestras throughout Hungary, Romania and....More info –full orchestra


Bottom of Form
ROMANIAN FOLK DANCES   -   Bela Bartok/arr. Monday   -   Neil A Kjos Music Co
Editors' Choice 2004 
This arrangement features four of the six dance movements as first arranged by Bartok. Joc Cu Bata; Buciumeana; Poarga Romanesca and Marunte are exotic-sounding and dramatic. These are....More info-string orchestra


Hungarian Dance No. 5 - Brahms arr by Isaac

Simple Gypsy Tunes

Cross Circular Ideas

History, geography, and politics

Culture; Dress, dance, and food