The Guitar's role in Rebetiko

Sunday 15th June 2025 @ DB Music London

We will study the laikoi dromoi (folk modes), also known as makam, and how they are interconnected through the concept of tetrachords and pentachords in a “horizontal” way.

We will then explore the “vertical” perspective, i.e. how these modes can be harmonized while preserving their microtonal character on a fretted instrument like the guitar.

In the second part of the seminar, we will focus on the rhythms found in rebetiko and traditional music, and how they are divided into the structural units of two and three, introducing polyrhythmic exercises while maintaining the style and color required by the dance-driven nature of this music.

Kostis Kostakis was born in 1986 and grew up in Athens. Originally classically trained from the age of 8, he switched to the electric guitar in his teenage years, eventually picking up the lap steel guitar as well. He has been performing professionally since the age of 18.

From 2005 to 2011 he participated in the rebetiko band HiPsi, where he thoroughly studied the songs, compositions and work of the great rebetiko guitarists, complemented by a guitar course with Erkan Ogur in Houdetsi (Labyrinth workshops).

Starting with Elektrobalkana in 2011, over the last 10+ years he has performed with numerous rebetiko and traditional bands, including Rebetien (now performing under the name Rebeti), Trio Katara Band and Sabi Band, which perform original material connecting gramophone sounds with contemporary musical patterns, and White Birds Band, a tribute to the great musician Kostas Bezos. As a lap steel guitarist, he also collaborated with Fotis Siotas in 2021.

Notable collaborations include Babis Gkoles, Agathonas Iakovidis, Solon Lekkas, Haig Yazdjian, Dimitris Mitsotakis, Nikos Tatasopoulos, Dimitris Mistakidis, Fotis Siotas, Vasilis Skoutas, Dimitris Mitarakis, Marios Papadeas, Yiannis Niarchos and other great musicians.

Workshop Details

Arrival time: 13:45
Start: 14:00
Finish: 17:00
Learning level: open to all levels