bouzouki

The bouzouki is a Greek long-necked lute with a rounded wooden body and a fretted neck. It has a number of strings arranged in courses; traditional models use three double courses (trichordo) and modern models most commonly four double courses (tetrachordo). It is typically played with a plectrum, producing a bright, metallic tone suited to Greek folk and popular idioms.

The bouzouki in its modern form arose in Greece in the early 20th century, evolving from longer-necked lutes common in the Ottoman-ruled Balkans and from instruments brought by Asia Minor refugees. It became a signature instrument of the rebetiko and laiko repertoires from the 1920s onward, with the tetrachordo version becoming standard in modern playing.

Construction and tuning: The instrument’s body is wooden, often with a carved or pressed top, and the neck is long, allowing a wide range of notes. Strings are metal and wound in pairs on each course; tunings vary by tradition and performer, with trichordo and tetrachordo forms offering different ranges and intervals. Players typically use a pick, though some techniques incorporate fingerstyle.

Role and repertoire: The bouzouki anchors many Greek ensembles, providing harmonic rhythm and melodic lines in rebetiko, laiko, and contemporary fusion styles. It remains a symbol of Greek urban folk music, with renowned early players such as Markos Vamvakaris shaping its sound and role in popular culture.