Pevci
Singing
was an important part of life of simple folk, looming large in their social life. Songs
were sung on various occasions: during or after farm chores (husking, flax beating, millet
threshing, reaping and harvesting, etc.), on the feast days of local patron saints, at
weddings and at wakes. As a ritual, singing was done in several parts without instrumental
accompaniment. Most typically, songs were sung by young lads in three-part harmony.
Singing was begun by the singer, who led or established the basic melody; he was then
joined by the other parts (the high or descant, and low or bas). The Kres group of singers
is mixed and usually sings in three parts, but if any of the singers picks up the
intervening harmonic tones between the melody and bass, their singing turns into four-part
harmony.
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