Download Available for download on Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Access Project (38 KB)

Abstract

This thesis delves into my personal journey, a guitarist born and raised in the Balkans and explores the influences and experiences that shaped my musical path. Drawing from childhood memories of diverse musical genres, I traced development from classical guitar lessons to studying flamenco in Spain and ultimately discovering a deep connection between Balkan music and flamenco. The thesis proposes a culminating experience project aimed at composing, arranging, and recording music rooted in Balkan traditions but infused with a new approach. The objectives of the project are to create a new (sub)genre of music that showcases my artistic identity as a composer, arranger, and band leader. By incorporating microtonal elements inspired by maqam, the music language of Ottoman classical that is in the roots of Balkan music, this project seeks to fuse the vocabulary and techniques of flamenco guitar with traditional Balkan songs and melodies, thus reviving the spirit of microtonal performances. This thesis aims to create a new musical identity that showcases the richness and beauty of Balkan traditions while incorporating innovative elements and intends to inspire listeners and offer a fresh perspective on the genre, presenting a unique fusion of cultural influences and musical expressions.

Publication Date

7-1-2023

Campus

Valencia (Spain) Campus

Keywords

Balkan music, maqam, flamenco, artistic identity, genre expansion.

Unfretting the Fretted: Uniting Balkan music, maqam, and flamenco on guitar

Share

COinS