Discovering Serbian Music: Traditional Instruments and Songs
Serbia has a rich musical history filled with sounds from both the mountains and the cities. For hundreds of years, music has been a big part of Serbian culture—from dancing to storytelling through song. Let’s explore some of the unique instruments and traditions that bring Serbian music to life!
Dancing the Kolo and Singing Stories
One of the most popular traditional dances in Serbia is called the kolo. People form a circle or a line, hold hands, and dance together to the rhythm of live music. Serbian music often includes epic poems, which are sung while someone plays a simple instrument like a fiddle. These songs tell stories from history or mythology and are passed down from generation to generation.
The Gusle: Telling Stories with Strings
The gusle is one of the most important Serbian folk instruments. It has only one string and a round wooden body with a skin covering. Musicians hold it upright and play it with a curved bow. Even though it has just one string, the gusle can make powerful music used for storytelling and poems.
Shepherd Instruments: The Frula and Kaval
The frula is a small wooden flute held vertically, like a recorder. It has six holes and is often played by shepherds while watching over their flocks. There’s also a double frula, made of two flutes joined together!
Another flute, the kaval, is open on both ends and made of decorated wood. It creates a soft, melodic sound and was once played mostly by shepherds.
Loud and Proud: Zurla and Drums
The zurla is a loud wooden wind instrument that looks like a wide pipe. It makes a strong sound and is usually played outside, along with large traditional drums. The zurla most likely came to Serbia long ago from Turkey or Persia and is still played during celebrations.
String Sounds: Shargia and the East
The shargia is a plucked string instrument with between 4 and 12 strings. The word “shargia” comes from a Turkish word meaning “The East.” Musicians use the highest string for melody and the others for background sounds. It is great for folk songs and dances.
The Gajda: Serbia’s Special Bagpipe
The gajda (also called gaida) is a type of bagpipe that makes music using air stored in a bag. Players blow into a pipe to fill the bag with air and squeeze it under their arms to create sound. The gaidunitsa is the pipe part with finger holes. This unique instrument is often used during festivals, weddings, and other fun events.
Learn About Serbian Culture Through Music and Language
Exploring traditional instruments is a fun way to learn about Serbian history and daily life. Children who study languages often enjoy learning about music, dance, and stories from different parts of the world.
With Dinolingo, kids ages 2–14 can discover Serbian and 50+ other languages through songs, stories, games, and videos. Whether your child is a pre-reader or a middle schooler, Dinolingo’s interactive platform makes learning exciting. With printable worksheets, a parent dashboard, and surprise rewards, the whole family can enjoy learning together—on the web, iOS, or Android!