Slovenia's Got Talent!

[maugein96]

In the early days of playing I used to listen to Slavko Avsenik. Learned a tune by ear, then another, and by the time I had learned six tunes I reckon I had maybe played a total of eight notes and three chords.

So how do they vary that Oberkrainer style? Watch and learn!:-

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi John,

Slovenia certainly does have talent. They even make a very decent accordion. I have forgotten the name of it, but I think it begins with a "Z."

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[jozz]

yes! it's almost time for carnival

 

[maugein96]

They even make a very decent accordion. I have forgotten the name of it, but I think it begins with a Z.

Hi Stephen,

The make is Zupan, and they are great instruments as you say. A lot of keys and buttons for just a handful of notes and chords though!

There are quite a few players who do experiment with Slovenian accordion, although in large ensembles like the one in the clip, it tends to be one tune running into another.

Of the countries that made up the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia and Croatia seem to be the only two which dont have much musical influence from Turkey. The Slovenians look to Austria and Germany for musical inspiration and the Croatians have an Italian influence, at least in the accordion music. I was in Croatia a few years back, and even though we went local and met some of my wifes family there, we never heard an accordion at all, even on the radio. I think the accordion is more popular in the far north of Croatia. Tamburica (mandolin) was the only local folk instrument we heard, although if you cross the border into Bosnia and Hercegovina, you start to hear the Turkish derived sevdah music, and most bands who play that music feature the accordion (PA).

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi John,

Yes, that's right, Zupan. I knew it began with a "Z".

I know absolutely nothing about Slovenian music, I'm afraid.

Kind Regards,

Stephen.

 

[Amarise]

I lived in Maribor, Slovenia for a year and loved the accordion music. For a smallish university town they have at least a dozen jazz bars, many of them underground in beautiful 'caves', and I heard some really interesting stuff there. Maybe it's time for a road trip in search of a Zupan then...

 

[Stephen Hawkins]

Hi Alexis,

I have heard that Zupan make good accordions, but don't take my word for it. If you fancy a road trip, why not?

Kind Regards,

Stephen.