YOU TOO CAN LEARN TO PLAY Yes, you too can learn how to become a klezmer musician. You too can enjoy all of the fame, wealth, and groupies which are the natural right of this status (though how much this amounts to is a question you shouldn't ask.) What is klezmer?? Short answer: Fiddler On the Roof type of music. Long answer: "Klezmer" -- from the Hebrew klay (instrument) and zemer (music) -- is a Yiddish word which describes a particular style of Jewish music originating centuries ago as wedding melodies in the little towns (shtetlach) of Eastern Europe. Jews immigrating to the United States brought this music with them, with several brilliant musicians such as Dave Taras and Naftule Brandwein developing the genre. In the second half of the twentieth century many American Jews, wanting to be seen as "real Americans," abandoned much of their culture. The Yiddish language was precipitously falling towards extinction, and Klezmer music was considered embarrassingly "too Jewish." However, in the 1970's, after having become virtually extinct, a remarkable revival began in the United States. Two of the first bands were the Klezmorim with their "East Side Wedding", and the highly polished Klezmer Conservatory Band with "Yiddishe Renaissance." By now, virtually every major American city is home to at least one klezmer ensemble. If you play an instrument, it isn't hard to learn klezmer. Enthusiasm is more important than talent, though talent doesn't hurt either. (This is not like the person who, after an accident, asked, "Hey doc, can I play the piano when my hand heals." The doctor said, "Sure." The person said, "Great. I've never played a note in my life.) First step Be born Jewish. This is helpful but not essential (as Don Byron, a superb black klezmer clarinet player, so beautifully demonstrates). Second step This is essential -- you have to listen to a lot of klezmer music. There is no way you can overdo this part. The more you listen, the more the music will seep into your soul, ready to come out through your fingers and lips. I recommend bands like the Klezmorim (East Side Wedding), the Klezmer Conservatory Band (though they are too polished for my tastes), Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Kapelye, Shirim (Angels and Horseradish) and -- most of all -- the superb CDs by Yitzhok Perlman entitled "In the Fiddler's House" and "Live In the Fiddler's House." I do not recommend Giora Feidman, a popular Israeli clarinetist whose music is much too smooth to be authentic klezmer. Third step Pick up your instrument and play. It's best to play with others. Advertise in temple newsletters and JCCs, but also ask every Jew you know if they play a musical instrument and are interested. (If you're going to be a klezmer, you shouldn't be shy.) Some people are more comfortable playing from sheet music. The true masters sneer at this, saying you can no more learn klezmer from a book than you can learn to make love from a book. The Klezmaniacs -- truth to tell -- are not masters, and we do use sheet music. "The Kammen Folios" (numbers 1 and 9 -- don't ask what happened to 2 through 8) have good arrangements for various instruments. Also, "The Complete Klezmer" by Henry Saposnik is good. There are others. Forgive another commercial link here, but you can get at least some of these books (and recordings) from Taras Publications at http://www.jewishmusic.com. Do a search for the folder or CD you want, and they will probably have it. Also, you can hear some excellent Real Audio clips here. Finally, below are links to a few midi files which will give you an idea of some of the pieces which we play. These sound like computer generated music because that is what they are. But at least you can hear what the tunes sound like. Moreover, you can download the files, and if you have a music composition program like Finale or Cakewalk, print them out, and even edit them to your own taste. Kolomike, a Ukrainian dance Rumanian Hora Wedding Frailach a happy melody Heisser Bulgar, literally a hot tune. Leybidick and Fraylich, lively and happy. The following files can be used as sort of a fake book. Uh -- I have to tell you, not all of them are complete -- some need repeats put in, and some need further corrections. But -- hey -- you can fake it. (Bad joke, Zvi.) A nacht in Gan Eden With the Rabbi in Palestine Shalom Aleychem At the Rabbi's Table Lena from Palestina Warshaver Frailach Tsena Tesna Serba Osay Shalom Tsadick's Zemerel Avenu Malcaynu Moldavan Hora Worthwhile klezmer webpages (in addition to THE KLEZMANIAC'S HOME PAGE, of course) include Ari Davidow's Klezmer Shack and The Klezmer Ring. CHECK OUT ZVI'S HOME PAGE: JESUS FREAKS -- DON'T CLICK HERE FICTION (Note: you can download Palm-Visor versions of these stories at the link.) VIRTUAL ENCOUNTER Think how good virtual sex must be. Now -- think again. MANNERS Say please, even to your computer. KIDS They can drive you crazy. WORRY Would that it could be cured so easily. THE PENITENT A flawed but honest man who worships a -- to us -- psychopath. JUMPER For a longing we on earth can never know. SEASON'S GREETINGS A new approach to the December dilemma. THE SAXOPHONE Played by someone unexpected. THE AD AGENCY Which is worse -- ads or their regulation? A PHILOSOPHY LESSON Dogless people may think this story gross -- the rest of us will understand. THE TAX BELL Best read during April, though can be enjoyed at any time. A TRUE SON OF ASMODEUS A FULL NOVEL -- a unique treatment of the vampire theme -- literary agents take note. IMPLAC A FULL NOVEL -- straight SF, but the seeds have already been planted. ARTICLES CONFRONTING DACHAU -- One Jew's encounter with these remnants of the Shoah. ISRAELI DIARY -- A first person account of Israel during the intefada. VISIT THE KLEZMANIACS (we play for weddings, bnei mitzvah, and divorces -- any happy occasion.) This is a definitely a group worth hearing. Any questions -- just ask ZVI THE FIDDLER who will be happy to help you start your own band. This Klezmer Ring site is owned by Zvi the Fiddler. Want to join the Klezmer Ring? [Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [ Random][Next 5] [ List Sites] Click to subscribe to Countermissionary Revised 6/03
Yes, you too can learn how to become a klezmer musician. You too can enjoy all of the fame, wealth, and groupies which are the natural right of this status (though how much this amounts to is a question you shouldn't ask.)
What is klezmer??
Short answer: Fiddler On the Roof type of music.
Long answer: "Klezmer" -- from the Hebrew klay (instrument) and zemer (music) -- is a Yiddish word which describes a particular style of Jewish music originating centuries ago as wedding melodies in the little towns (shtetlach) of Eastern Europe. Jews immigrating to the United States brought this music with them, with several brilliant musicians such as Dave Taras and Naftule Brandwein developing the genre. In the second half of the twentieth century many American Jews, wanting to be seen as "real Americans," abandoned much of their culture. The Yiddish language was precipitously falling towards extinction, and Klezmer music was considered embarrassingly "too Jewish." However, in the 1970's, after having become virtually extinct, a remarkable revival began in the United States. Two of the first bands were the Klezmorim with their "East Side Wedding", and the highly polished Klezmer Conservatory Band with "Yiddishe Renaissance." By now, virtually every major American city is home to at least one klezmer ensemble.
First step
Be born Jewish. This is helpful but not essential (as Don Byron, a superb black klezmer clarinet player, so beautifully demonstrates).
Second step
This is essential -- you have to listen to a lot of klezmer music. There is no way you can overdo this part. The more you listen, the more the music will seep into your soul, ready to come out through your fingers and lips. I recommend bands like the Klezmorim (East Side Wedding), the Klezmer Conservatory Band (though they are too polished for my tastes), Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Kapelye, Shirim (Angels and Horseradish) and -- most of all -- the superb CDs by Yitzhok Perlman entitled "In the Fiddler's House" and "Live In the Fiddler's House." I do not recommend Giora Feidman, a popular Israeli clarinetist whose music is much too smooth to be authentic klezmer.
Third step
Pick up your instrument and play. It's best to play with others. Advertise in temple newsletters and JCCs, but also ask every Jew you know if they play a musical instrument and are interested. (If you're going to be a klezmer, you shouldn't be shy.)
Some people are more comfortable playing from sheet music. The true masters sneer at this, saying you can no more learn klezmer from a book than you can learn to make love from a book. The Klezmaniacs -- truth to tell -- are not masters, and we do use sheet music. "The Kammen Folios" (numbers 1 and 9 -- don't ask what happened to 2 through 8) have good arrangements for various instruments. Also, "The Complete Klezmer" by Henry Saposnik is good. There are others. Forgive another commercial link here, but you can get at least some of these books (and recordings) from Taras Publications at http://www.jewishmusic.com. Do a search for the folder or CD you want, and they will probably have it. Also, you can hear some excellent Real Audio clips here. Finally, below are links to a few midi files which will give you an idea of some of the pieces which we play. These sound like computer generated music because that is what they are. But at least you can hear what the tunes sound like. Moreover, you can download the files, and if you have a music composition program like Finale or Cakewalk, print them out, and even edit them to your own taste.
Kolomike, a Ukrainian dance
Rumanian Hora
Wedding Frailach a happy melody
Heisser Bulgar, literally a hot tune.
Leybidick and Fraylich, lively and happy.
The following files can be used as sort of a fake book. Uh -- I have to tell you, not all of them are complete -- some need repeats put in, and some need further corrections. But -- hey -- you can fake it. (Bad joke, Zvi.)
With the Rabbi in Palestine
Shalom Aleychem
At the Rabbi's Table
Warshaver Frailach
Tsena Tesna
Serba
Tsadick's Zemerel
Avenu Malcaynu
Moldavan Hora
Worthwhile klezmer webpages (in addition to THE KLEZMANIAC'S HOME PAGE, of course) include Ari Davidow's Klezmer Shack and The Klezmer Ring.
CHECK OUT ZVI'S HOME PAGE:
FICTION (Note: you can download Palm-Visor versions of these stories at the link.)
VISIT THE KLEZMANIACS
(we play for weddings, bnei mitzvah, and divorces -- any happy occasion.)
This is a definitely a group worth hearing.
Any questions -- just ask ZVI THE FIDDLER who will be happy to help you start your own band.
Revised 6/03