Gypsy style

The term gypsy style refers to the typical way East European music is played in coffeehouses and restaurants, at parties, and sometimes on-stage, in European cities. Music played in this style is known by the general public as "gypsy music".

It is mainly instrumental and usually performed by strings, except in the Romanian variant where the panflute is the main instrument. The accompaniment may be executed by various instruments, but by preference includes a cimbalom and a double bass.

Music played in the Gypsy style can easily be recognized among many other styles. Characteristic elements of the style include:

Among these items the last one — the idiom — is decisive: it is mainly the way of playing that determines whether a tune is played in gypsy style or not. It is — just like in jazz – not the combination of instruments that determines the style, but its characteristic performance. Notwithstanding this, the first two items – instruments and repertoire – will be discussed before the main issue – the idiom – will be dealt with.

Thanks to its accompaniment the tunes are elevated above the level of simple folk-music. Part of the beauty of the music is founded on the harmonies that the cimbalom and the bass add to the score.

Violin and Cimbalom – The primas playing in Gypsy style is at the same time orchestral leader and soloist. He suggests variations in the tempo with subtle movements of his bow and his body. He is supported by the cimbalom-player who beats the rhythm with his small hammers and shapes the harmonies. Franz Liszt has said of their cooperation:

Violin – There doesn’t exist an instrument called “Gypsy violin”. Players in gypsy style have a preference for violins with a dark tone-quality from which they can draw a special sound. The listener gets the impression that he hears a “Gypsy violin” but that is not so.

The Cimbalom – A characteristic instrument for producing the gypsy style is the cimbalom. It has a playing-surface strung with steel strings which are hammered with two beaters. The chords are played in arpeggio: one note after the other in rapid succession. This provides the tinkling sound that adds much to the character of the gypsy style.

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Wikipedia