Varushka music

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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.

• Toasting song example: Mravalzhamier - easy, 3 parts.
• Toasting song example: Alilo - medium, 3 parts.
• Toasting song example: Benia's Mravalzhamier - difficult, 3 parts.

Further examples

More examples for keen bards.

Songs & Poems

• The Beast of Volgadurn
• Beneath the Skin
• The Walker of the Snow
• Marching song

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.

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.