There is a sort of official
background about the Baglamas from Wikipedia,
click here to read it.
The Baglama is the beloved
instrument of Greek people. It's a sort of miniature version of the
Bouzouki. It's extremely portable and has fantastically sweet sound.
Although it's used sometimes as a solo instrument, it's primary role
I would say is to be a sort of "melodic high-hat" in Greek music
(listen examples on the right).
As soon as I started learning
the Bouzouki, I discovered this sweet little instrument and fell in
love with it. There is some magic in it which is difficult to
explain. It's plainly charming, whenever appears.
I used to have one when I lived
in the Netherlands, 1990-1994. But alas, one day, after a late night
gig, I forgot it at the back of my car. The sun was so strong the
next day, it broke the body of the Baglama, and my heart as well.
I wanted to have another one,
but life just didn't give me the chance to think about it. Till this
Christmas, that is (2006).
We gathered with my family in
Macedonia, and Nuno, my brother who works in Greece at the moment,
brought me one Baglamas as a present! I was, and still am delighted.
Now life is fulfilled again.
It's tuning is D-A-D and it's
sound is much better live than on any recording.
Baglamas
