Greek Music & Beyond
Online Greek Music Lessons
Live online Greek music lessons via Google Meet — every lesson recorded and sent to you with PDFs and audio tracks. Available in English, Italian, Spanish, and Greek.
Whether you are discovering Greek traditional instruments for the first time or building on what you already know, these lessons are built around your pace and goals. I teach bouzouki, oud, laouto, baglamas, tzouras, guitar, mandolin, lavta, and tabouras — each with its own dedicated course. We always start with a free trial lesson: we meet, I hear you play (or we start from zero), and together we decide where to begin.
How the lessons work
- Live one-to-one sessions via Google Meet, from anywhere in the world
- Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes — longer if we need to finish a topic
- Every lesson recorded and sent to you in full, with PDFs and audio tracks for home practice
- Flexible scheduling across multiple time zones — we find a time that works for you
- Fully personalized progression — no fixed syllabus, built around your goals and pace
- Available in English, Italian, Spanish, and Greek
What you will learn
- Authentic technique rooted in the Greek and Eastern Mediterranean tradition — adapted to each instrument
- Modal theory — dromi and makams, explained clearly and applied to real music
- Improvisation (taximi) — from understanding the structure of each mode to free improvisation
- Traditional repertoire — rebetiko, folk, island, and urban Greek music, chosen for musical and cultural value
- Rhythm and phrasing — the feel of zeibekiko, chasapiko, syrtos, tsifteteli, and other Greek rhythms from the inside
Explore the courses
Bouzouki — Rebetiko technique, dromi, and taximi
The iconic voice of rebetiko — technique, dromi, taximi, and traditional repertoire
Oud — Makam theory, taximi, and the Asia Minor repertoire
The fretless lute of the Eastern Mediterranean — makam theory, taximi, and the Greek and Asia Minor repertoire
Laouto — Greek traditional music from the islands to the mainland
The resonant Greek lute — folk music from Crete, the islands, and the mainland
Baglamas — The intimate voice of rebetiko
Small in size, immense in character — the baglamas is the hidden companion of rebetiko
Tzouras — Warm tone, rebetiko roots, versatile voice
Midway between bouzouki and baglamas — a versatile voice for solo playing and ensemble
Guitar — Rebetiko accompaniment and modal harmony
The guitar in its Greek context — rebetiko accompaniment, modal harmony, and folk styles
Mandolin — Ionian serenades and island traditions
Island traditions, urban serenades, and folk dances — the mandolin as a gateway into Greek melodic style
Lavta — The urban lute of Constantinople
The urban lute of Constantinople — bridging Greek and Ottoman musical worlds
Tabouras — The ancient Greek lute, ancestor of the bouzouki
A descendant of the ancient pandoura and the Byzantine tabouras — one of the rarest instruments in the Greek tradition
Who these lessons are for
- Complete beginners curious about Greek traditional instruments — no prior experience needed
- Guitarists, lutenists, or other string players wanting to explore the Eastern Mediterranean tradition
- Intermediate and advanced players seeking modal depth — dromi, makams, taximi
- Bouzouki, oud, or baglamas players who want to deepen their modal theory or add a second instrument
- Music educators, ethnomusicologists, and researchers in Greek and Ottoman music
- Anyone who loves Greek music and wants to understand it from the inside
FAQs
How do the online lessons work?
We meet live on Google Meet for one-to-one sessions of approximately 45 minutes. I see and hear you play in real time, correct your technique, and adapt the material on the spot. Unlike pre-recorded video courses, every detail is tailored to your level and goals. After each lesson, you receive a full video recording, PDFs, and audio tracks for home practice. Scheduling is flexible across time zones.
Do I need any experience to start Greek music lessons?
No. Complete beginners are welcome on every instrument. We start from the fundamentals — posture, plectrum technique, basic scales — and build from there at your pace. If you already play a string instrument, your technique will transfer and you will progress faster.
What language are the online Greek music lessons in?
Lessons are available in English, Italian, Spanish, and Greek. Most international students take lessons in English. Musical terminology from Greek and Ottoman tradition is introduced gradually.
How long is each lesson, and how often should I take them?
Each lesson lasts approximately 45 minutes, sometimes longer if we need to finish a topic. Most students take one lesson per week, but the schedule is flexible. Some prefer fortnightly sessions with more independent practice in between.
What do I need for online lessons?
Your instrument, a stable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone. We use Google Meet. A music stand is helpful but not required. If you don’t have an instrument yet, we can discuss what to look for.
How do I choose which instrument to learn?
If you are drawn to rebetiko, the bouzouki is the natural starting point — but the baglamas and tzouras cover the same musical territory in a smaller, more portable form. If you are interested in Greek folk music, the laouto or mandolin are excellent choices. If you want to explore the deeper modal and microtonal world, the oud, lavta, or tabouras will take you there. The free trial lesson is a good place to discuss your interests and find the right fit.
Can I study more than one instrument?
Yes. Several students study two or more instruments — for example, bouzouki and oud, or guitar and laouto. The modal system (dromi, makams) is shared across all instruments, so the theoretical knowledge transfers directly. We can structure your lessons to cover multiple instruments if you wish.
Do I need to read music?
No. We use a combination of tablature, chord diagrams, audio references, and practical demonstration. Standard notation is available if you want it, but it is never required. The emphasis is on learning by ear and by hand, which is how this music has always been transmitted.
How much do the online Greek music lessons cost?
Pricing depends on lesson frequency and package. Get in touch for current rates, or start with a free trial lesson — your first session is completely free with no obligation.
What is a dromos? What are makams?
The dromi (singular: dromos) are the modal scales of Greek music — comparable to the makam system used in Ottoman and Arabic music. Each dromos or makam has its own scale, characteristic phrases, ornaments, and emotional colour. Learning this modal system is central to all these lessons, regardless of which instrument you choose.
What is taximi?
Taximi (also taksim or taqsim) is a form of solo modal improvisation — an unmetered exploration of a mode that builds from simple phrases to more complex melodic development. It is one of the highest forms of musical expression in the Eastern Mediterranean tradition. We work on taximi from the early stages of study, building gradually toward free improvisation.
Not sure where to begin?
Tell me what draws you to Greek music and I will suggest the right instrument and the best way to begin. The first lesson is completely free — no commitment required.
Go deeper with my books
The modal system at the heart of these lessons is treated in full in my books — particularly The Theory of Rebetiko and the Greek Folk Music anthologies.
