(→‎A musical tradition: toasting songs)
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====A musical tradition====
====A musical tradition====
Toasting is very common in Varushkan culture. Pretty much every major event - weddings, funerals, births, victories, defeats, change of leadership, ceremonies of adulthood - will lead to both spoken and sung toasts. A typical Varushkan toasting song has very few words: the old-fashioned songs use "mravalzhamier" meaning 'good health' although others are sung to similar sentiments, or sometimes the name of the person being toasted or simply "Varushka!". Toasting songs often start slowly and speed up and can be sung in full harmony or led by one singer.
Toasting is very common in Varushkan culture. Pretty much every major event - weddings, funerals, births, victories, defeats, change of leadership, ceremonies of adulthood - will lead to both spoken and sung toasts. A typical Varushkan toasting song has very few words: the old-fashioned songs use "mravalzhamier" meaning 'good health' although others are sung to similar sentiments, or sometimes the name of the person being toasted or simply "Varushka!". Toasting songs often start slowly and speed up and can be sung in full harmony or led by one singer.
* Toasting song example: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hI2fRNzXEY Mravalzhamier] - easy, 3 parts.
* Toasting song example: [http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/GlasgowMadrigirls Alilo] - medium, 3 parts.
* Toasting song example: [http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Madrigirls Benia's Mravalzhamier] - difficult, 3 parts.


====One for the kids====
====One for the kids====

Revision as of 11:35, 5 August 2012

This is a placeholder page for content that PD are actively working on.

The Music of Varushka

Style summary

A short description of the musical style we're encouraging.


Commonly known songs

Pick a few examples from the list below to specifically promote as well-known within that nation. Provide lyrics and score/chords. Preferably in a range of difficulties.

A musical tradition

Toasting is very common in Varushkan culture. Pretty much every major event - weddings, funerals, births, victories, defeats, change of leadership, ceremonies of adulthood - will lead to both spoken and sung toasts. A typical Varushkan toasting song has very few words: the old-fashioned songs use "mravalzhamier" meaning 'good health' although others are sung to similar sentiments, or sometimes the name of the person being toasted or simply "Varushka!". Toasting songs often start slowly and speed up and can be sung in full harmony or led by one singer.

One for the kids

Further examples

More examples for keen bards.

Songs & Poems

Instrumentation and tunes

Violins, accordions, reeded woodwind, hammered dulcimer if you've got one! Music is drawn from Eastern European gypsy music, klezmer, or any fast tunes written in a klezmer scale. More info on klezmer scales.

Other performance traditions

How to adapt your repertoire

Suggestions of how someone could talk an existing song and make it fit the nation's style.

Our sources

Credits, links to artists, further material etc.