klezmer

Klezmer is a style of folk music that draws upon the traditions of Ashkenazi Judaism and Eastern European folk traditions. The term “klezmer” combines the Hebrew words for a vessel (“kley”) and melody (“zemer”).

Although the key instrument of the 19th century was the fiddle, the clarinet has assumed the primary role in the klezmer revival of the 20th century. What makes the music unique is the soulful wailing or joyful exuberance that comes from the instruments.

There are a number of special extended techniques used by klezmer clarinetists and these techniques are essential to capture the authentic klezmer style. This list includes glissandi, note bends, growling, and imitating the inflections of the human voice.

Klezmer rhythms Common dances and rhythms include a slow dance in a 'limping' three-time called a hora (a bit like the Scottish strathspey), and faster couples, line and set dances such as bulgars and freylekhs.

Part of the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, klezmer is the music that was played at Jewish weddings and other communal ceremonies in the Old World of Eastern Europe leading up to the Second World War.

There is no strict structure for Klezmer music and hence it varies for each piece. Modal transitions are what determine the structure of the piece and the use of this technique provides a basis for unity and contrast between sections of music.

Almost as soon as the traditional music of Ashkenazi Jews landed on U.S. shores via Eastern European immigrants, jazz melded with and transformed what had traditionally been known as klezmer into its more familiar American variant.

The common usage of the term developed about 1980; historically, a klezmer (plural: klezmorim or klezmers) was a male professional instrumental musician, usually Jewish, who played in a band hired for special occasions in eastern European communities.

At the time, a consensus developed that all music and singing would be banned; this was codified as a rule by some early Jewish rabbinic authorities. However, the ban on singing and music, although not formally lifted by any council, soon became understood as only a ban outside of religious services.

The Social and Cultural Uses of Klezmer Music. Klezmer music has been used for a myriad of social and cultural purposes. It has been played at a variety of social functions including weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, bris events, and more gatherings by both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike.

There's no outright prohibition on secular music, but there is a Torah commandment to “be holy” and a rabbinic prohibition on “unclean speech” (nivul peh). And a lot of religious Jews believe that adds up to a prohibition on music with things like cursing or overt sexual references.

The relationship between Islam and music has long been a complex and controversial matter. Many Muslims believe that the Qur'an and Sunnah prohibit music (instruments and singing); however other Muslims disagree and believe that some forms of music are permitted.