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GREEK INSTRUMENTS
Bouzouki
This originally three string and later four string musical instrument, is the living tradition of Greece and the connective node with the immortal tradition of the Byzantine Empire. The bouzouki as we know it today, was first introduced in the late '20s early 30's when it replaced violin, 'canonaki', Outi and other instruments, that were used for the 'Rebetiko' songs. The bouzouki based 'Rebetiko band' (KOMPANIA), was the origin of the 'Peireotiki' school of 'Rebetiko, which was the evolution of the 'Smyrneiki' school. The first band of the 'Peireotiki' school composed from Markos Bambakaris, Batis , Anestos Delias (Artemis) and Stratos Pagioumtzis. This band was called "Tetras the Legendary of Piraeus" is considered as the 'classical' representative of the 'Rebetiko', and their creations will remain eternally as high culture musical achievements. In this period the bouzouki has three strings and it was played in the places that rebetes used to be: "tekedes" (hashish houses), "koutoukia" (taverns) and jail. Because of its artistic value, Rebetiko, very soon became very popular and after the second world war period, it broke the limits of the "Rebetiko" family and it reached every Greek family. During this period (late 40's early 50's) the bouzouki was added the fourth course of strings and changed the tuning from D, A, D to D, A, F, C and the first who played it was the legendary soloist Manoli Hiotis. This fourth string made the bouzouki a more complete musical instrument able to produce almost any kind of music.
BAGLAMA
The baglama is basically a miniature bouzouki. It originated at a time when the rebetes were persecuted by the authorities and their bouzoukia and music were forbidden. It was made small so the rebetes could easily conceal it if the hash dens they frequented were raided by the police, and it could be easily smuggled into jail to console them during the inevitable jail term that followed. I've seen some instruments that could even be used as bongs for smoking hashish.
Gradually, from being a crude substitute for a real bouzouki, the baglama acquired an important rhythmic support role in rebetika, and was occasionally used to play taximia. A rebetiko ensemble without a baglama player is unthinkable.
The first baglamades were crudely made from a gourd or a hollowed-out block of wood (skafto). Most modern baglamades are still made from a hollowed-out block, but some special ones are made with a lute back just like the full size bouzoukia. The baglama has evolved into an essential accessory for every bouzouki player.
DOUMBEK
We love the many goblet shaped drums of the Middle East. Arab, Armenian, Persian, and Turkish music feature them, prominently in bellydance and other musics of the Near and Middle East.
Although we over here in the U.S.A. most often call these drums 'Doumbek', they are known by a variety of names and spellings, such as tonbak, donbak, Tombak, etc. The combination of deep bass tones and crisp, high tones give the doumbek it's name.