Free rhythm melody from Central Greece, played on a reed floyéra. The floyéra is a member of the flute family. It consists of an open-ended tube, usually with six equally-spaced holes 011 the front, plus one on the back, destined for the thumb. Crafted by their player, they may vary in size from 15 to 85 cm and are made of different materials including reed, wood, the leg bone of large vultures, metal and even plastic. The sound produced varies in accordance with the instrument’s length: the longer it is, the deeper its tone.
The floyéra is most often found in mainland Greece. It is primarily associated with shepherds, who play the instrument alone as they herd their sheep, and is organically linked to nature and the shepherd’s work and needs. When playing the floyéra, the player constantly adds new embellishments to his original composition that colour the melody and help blend it in with the harmonious sound of the flock’s attuned bells.
Miranda Terzopoulou (2018)
