Greek Music & Beyond
Online Greek Laouto Lessons
Online laouto lessons rooted in the living folk traditions of Greece — technique, modal scales, and regional repertoire, from the islands to the mainland.
The laouto — also known as the Greek lute — is one of the great unsung instruments of Greece. Deep-bodied, richly resonant, and equally at home carrying a melody or driving the rhythm of a dance, it is central to the folk music traditions of the Greek mainland and islands — from the Aegean to the Ionian Sea, from Epirus to Crete.
These lessons cover both the melodic and rhythmic dimensions of the laouto. We work on the characteristic right-hand strumming technique that gives the instrument its rhythmic power, the modal scales of Greek folk music, and the regional repertoire that makes the laouto so musically diverse.
The laouto exists in several regional variants across Greece, each with its own tuning, sound, and musical character. These lessons cover the mainland and island laouto tradition, and are adapted to your instrument and your musical interests.
What these laouto lessons cover
- Posture, plectrum technique, and right-hand dynamic control
- Left-hand technique — fretting, ornamentation, and position shifts
- Regional repertoire — the Aegean islands, the Ionian islands, Crete, Epirus, and mainland Greece
- Dance rhythms — syrtos, kalamatianos, zeibekiko, karsilamas, tsamiko, and others
- Ensemble playing — accompaniment and melodic roles alongside lyra, violin, clarinet, and voice
Who this is for
Open to all levels. Guitarists and oud players will find the transition to laouto relatively natural — the left hand is similar, though the right-hand technique and the tuning in fifths are different. Complete beginners are welcome and will receive a solid technical foundation from the first lesson.
The laouto is an ideal instrument for anyone drawn specifically to the folk music of Greece — its dance traditions, regional diversity, and deep connection to community life. If your interest is more in rebetiko or urban Greek music, the bouzouki may be a better starting point; we can discuss this in the free trial lesson.
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
FAQs about laouto lessons
What is the laouto?
The laouto (also called lavouto or lagouto) is a large, long-necked, pear-shaped plucked string instrument central to Greek folk music. It has four courses of doubled metal strings, tuned in fifths (C-G-D-A on the mainland and island laouto, or G-D-A-E on the lower-pitched Cretan laouto). Unlike the oud, the laouto has a fretted neck. It is played with a long plectrum and serves both rhythmic and melodic roles in Greek folk ensembles.
What is the difference between the Cretan laouto and the mainland laouto?
The Cretan laouto (kritiko laouto) is larger, with a wider body and a lower tuning (G-D-A-E). It is the traditional companion of the Cretan lyra and plays a prominent melodic role alongside its rhythmic function. The mainland and island laouto (steriano or nisiotiko laouto) is somewhat smaller, tuned higher (C-G-D-A), and traditionally accompanies the violin or clarinet. Both variants are covered in these lessons, and we adapt the material to whichever instrument you play.
Do I need experience to start laouto lessons?
No. Complete beginners are welcome. We start from the fundamentals — posture, how to hold the plectrum, how to produce clean sound — and build your technique step by step. If you already play guitar, oud, or bouzouki, many skills transfer and you will progress faster, though the laouto’s tuning in fifths and its right-hand technique are distinct.
Can I use a guitar instead of a laouto?
For the first few lessons, a guitar can work as a temporary substitute to explore the repertoire and right-hand patterns. However, the laouto has a fundamentally different tuning (in fifths, not fourths). To progress seriously, you will need a laouto. I can advise you on what to look for if you are considering buying one.
Where can I buy a laouto?
Good laouta are available from specialist Greek luthiers and from online shops that specialize in Greek and Mediterranean instruments. Prices range from several hundred euros for a student-level instrument to several thousand for a professional handmade laouto. I can recommend trusted makers and suppliers based on your budget and the type of laouto you need (Cretan or mainland). We can discuss this in the free trial lesson.
What music will I learn on the laouto?
The repertoire covers the full breadth of Greek folk traditions: Cretan music (kontylies, syrtos, pentozali, siganos), island music (nisiotika), mainland traditions from Epirus, the Peloponnese, and Central Greece, and dances like syrtos, pidichtos, sousta, and kalamatianos. We also work on the modal improvisation tradition and on regional styles that give each area its distinctive sound.
What is the laouto’s role in a Greek folk ensemble?
The laouto is traditionally the rhythmic and harmonic backbone of the Greek folk ensemble. In Cretan music, it accompanies the lyra — but it does more than just strum chords: a skilled laouto player adds melodic responses, fills between phrases, and drives the rhythmic energy of the dance. On the mainland and islands, the laouto performs a similar role alongside the violin and clarinet. In some regional styles, it also takes a fully melodic role.
Ready to start laouto lessons?
Your first lesson is free and comes with no obligation. We meet online, I assess where you are, and together we map out a learning path — whether you want to focus on a specific regional tradition or explore the full breadth of the instrument’s possibilities.
Deepen your understanding
My books on Greek modal theory, folk music, and rebetiko complement these lessons directly. Many students use them as reference material between sessions.
