Y is for Yukar

Yukar is both a type of Japanese saga and a style of music inspired by the same. It is part of the culture of the Ainu people of Northern Japan. The Wikipedia entry is here.

~DJ Les~

W is for Waltz

According to Wikipedia, the waltz is a smooth, progressive ballroom and folk dance in triple time, performed primarily in closed position.

The music must have a suitable tempo, such as the pieces in the sampler above.

There was a waltz written for Tempest, Dahlings. It is known as the Two Left Feet Waltz!

~DJ Tempest~

Q is for Quan Ho

I'm tired but not proud, so I'm admitting to swiping the description of this beautiful style of Vietnamese music straight from Wikipedia.

 The quan họ style originated in what is now Bắc Ninh Province and was first recorded in the 13th century, and has traditionally been associated with the spring festivals that follow the celebration of Tết (the Vietnamese New Year). Historically, the singing began on the evening before the festival, but today it is much more common for the singing to occur on the main day of the festival. In general, an initial "challenge phrase" (câu ra) from the known body of songs is sung by a pair of female singers, following which a pair of male singers will respond by selecting and singing a "matching phrase" (câu đối), which must repeat the melody of the challenge phrase. Once they are finished, the order is reversed, and the men will issue their own challenge phrase with a different melody. While in the past the singing was unaccompanied, it is common today for the singers to be accompanied by instruments, whether traditional Vietnamese instruments or modern ones such as electric keyboards.

~DJ Cheesy~ 

K is for Krakowiak

Krakowiak is both a style of joyful, fast-paced folk music and a style of dance which originated in Krakow, Poland. If I attempted it, it would also be the sound that was made as I stepped on my partner's foot. 

It has nothing on the Lithuanian towel-snapping dance. Yes, that's a thing!

Just messing with my blogging teammates, several of whom are Polacks. 

I may be getting my trouble-starting Lithuanian ass towel-snapped in the not too distant future!

~DJ Cheesy~

Balkanika Playlist

Balkanika is a Serbian band who play traditional instruments. I love this stuff! Join me if you do too and listen to this playlist.

Love,

Adam