,,Just play by the ear’’: accordion connecting the Balkans
You've always been in love with Balkan traditional music and wanted to learn to play? Unleash your inner Balkan beat with our step-by-step online accordion course for beginners. Join us on a musical journey and discover the soul of Balkan music. Designed as a combination of accordion foundations taught in elementary music schools and traditional Balkan melodies, this program will guide you to successful mastery. Start your musical journey today!
Cross-border/international
Serbia
Austria
Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Germany
Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Croatia
Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Western Balkans, as well as all the countries over the globe where people from the Balkans live: Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, etc.
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
Yes
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Planeta Racunari Type of organisation: For-profit company First name of representative: Aleksander Last name of representative: Krsmanovic Gender: Male Nationality: Serbia Function: director Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Brace Marinkovic 7 Town: Cacak Postal code: 32000 Country: Serbia Direct Tel:+381 60 7223100 E-mail:aleksander.krsmanovic@gmail.com Website:https://kursharmonike.rs/
The Balkan people have been migrating for centuries, due to various reasons. What connects them, wherever they go, is their culture and national heritage, and their constant urge to nurture their national identity. However, in the current circumstances, it appears that for the majority of people, it has been difficult or too expensive to invest money or dedicate time to learning a new skill or a hobby connected to it. Our initiative aims at providing a non-formal educational path (accessible and affordable) for music lovers with no prior musical knowledge who wish to learn to play traditional Balkan melodies on the accordion. The syllabus, developed by a team of experts, has been designed as a unique combination of accordion foundations taught in elementary musical schools and traditional Balkan musical heritage. As the program is realized through a hybrid model of instruction, each learner learns at their own pace, with the additional support (feedback) provided by instructors. In that sense, the program is also suitable for retired people, people with disabilities or people dislocated from urban centres, especially cultural centres and educational institutions/facilities. Overall, this program serves as a cultural hub, or a virtual, ’META” space of belonging for people in the Balkans and elsewhere. As the main impact of this initiative, we develop an EU region as a place for the reconciliation of the Balkan people who speak the same language, not through imposed political initiatives, but through culture. Voluntary civic participation in this initiative appears crucial, as participants are not forced to engage by any official laws. This civic participation is realized as the intended dedication of individuals to culturally bond with people who share the same values. The added value of the project is the numerous friendships created among the participants.
Western Balkans
Cultural Heritage
Nonformal Education
Performing Arts
Hybrid Instruction
1. Hybrid/online access: The course is designed to be accessible online, making it available to people regardless of their location. What is more, as the first students enrolled in August 2021, during the pandemic, this course was a safe place for creativity and inclusion for many. As it is designed as a self-paced learning program, students could (still can) decide for themselves when to access the material. A special FB group helps people build a strong community of dedicated learners. What is more, a mainly online instruction of the course meets the general sustainability goals for education for all, equal access to learning material, zero waste while delivering the course, supporting fairness, and cultural diversity.
2. Building a strong community that promotes cultural awareness of the Western Balkans heritage: The course aims to create a strong community of accordion players who share a passion for Balkan traditional music, with a goal to help sustain the popularity of the music, as well as provide support for accordion players.
3. Encouraging participation: The course is designed to be accessible to people without prior musical knowledge, making it easier for individuals to participate and enjoy the music. This will help to sustain the popularity of the music and ensure that it continues to be enjoyed by future generations.
4. Developing skills: The course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to play the accordion, which will help to ensure that the music can be played with authenticity and skill in the future. Life-long learning competences are improved, as well.
5. Preserving traditions: By focusing on the Balkans, the course aims to preserve the unique musical traditions of the region, which would otherwise be forgotten.
6. Supporting local musicians: The course provides opportunities for local musicians/experts to share their skills and knowledge.
The main objectives of the initiative are to provide:
1. Engaging design: The program is designed to be engaging and interactive, helping to keep students motivated and focused on their learning goals. This leads to a more positive and enjoyable learning experience.
2. Positive emotions: By learning about and playing Balkan traditional music, students experience a range of positive emotions such as joy, fulfilment, and a sense of connection to their cultural heritage (many new friendships were made, the reconciliation that is necessary for the Balkan countries was improved with many learners).
3. Cultural benefits: Through the course, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for Balkan traditional music and the cultural traditions that surround it. This will help to foster a greater appreciation for cultural diversity and promote cultural exchange and understanding.
4. Skills development: The course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to play the accordion, helping to build their musical abilities and develop a deeper understanding of music. This can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.
5. Sense of community: By participating in the course, students could connect with others who share their interest in Balkan traditional music. This fostered a sense of community and belonging, helping to build positive relationships and social connections. People of different nations and religions joined and all participated in learning activities. A culture brought peace to many, some firm friendships were created, and some lost connections were established.
Our students shared some very touching stories about their course attendance. One student mentioned that he attended the course while nurturing his father on his deathbed, whose wish was to hear his son play. After his father passed away, the students mentioned the accordion course as a link that helped them bond and spend some quality time together.
Our program has more than 550 participants from almost 25 EU and non-EU countries with all nationalities (Serbian, Bosnian, Macedonian, Roma, Bulgarian, Croatian, etc.) living in the Balkans and beyond. The key objectives in terms of inclusion are:
1. Affordable pricing: The course is priced reasonably (less than two individual classes with an expert teacher), making it accessible to a wide range of individuals (the evidence is in the students' reports). This helps ensure that everyone interested in Balkan traditional music can enrol.
2. Inclusive curriculum: The course is designed to be accessible to people without prior musical knowledge, making it possible for anyone to engage and learn about Balkan traditional music. The curriculum is inclusive and welcoming to individuals from all backgrounds, and lessons can be repeated upon request.
3. Online access: The course is designed to be accessible online, making it available to people regardless of their location. This is particularly important for those who may not have access to traditional music classes in their local area. Social networks are also included.
4. Cultural representation: The course focuses on Balkan traditional music, which is a rich and diverse cultural heritage. By providing students with the opportunity to learn about and play this music, the course helps to promote cultural representation of the Western Balkans and its diversity.
5. People of determination (with disabilities) and retired people also enrolled as students.
The Balkan people have been migrating for centuries, due to various reasons. What connects them, wherever they go, is their culture and national heritage, and their constant urge to nurture their national identity. However, in the current circumstances, it appears that for the majority of people, it has been difficult or too expensive to invest money or dedicate time to learning a new skill or a hobby that is connected to it. Our initiative provides a non-formal educational path for music lovers with no prior musical knowledge who wish to learn to play traditional Balkan melodies on the accordion. As the program is realized through a hybrid model of instruction, each learner learns at their own pace, with the additional support (feedback) provided by instructors. In that sense, the program is also suitable for people who are retired, with disabilities, or dislocated from urban centres, especially cultural centres and educational institutions/facilities. In that sense, this program serves as a cultural hub, or a virtual, ’META” space of belonging for people in the Balkans and elsewhere. As the main impact of this initiative, we develop an EU region as a place for the reconciliation of the Balkan people who speak the same language, not through imposed political initiatives, but through culture. Voluntary civic participation in this initiative appears crucial, as participants are not forced to engage by any official laws. This civic participation is realized as the intended dedication of individuals to culturally bond with people who share the same values. The added value of the project is the numerous friendships created among the participants. In the longer run, we expect the initiative to bring more changes in the Western Balkan region over time, as the project enters the next round of implementation.
Local partners who participated in the project were experts in music education from Cacak and Belgrade. The project was successfully promoted at Dubai Expo 2020 Serbia Pavillion in January 2022, which was national support of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce to this initiative.
Also, the essay about the course as a good practice example won the first prize in the EPALE Serbia contest 2022 (https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/blog/just-play-ear-adult-learners-and-music)
The disciplines necessary to design and implement the project were:
1. Music theory and practice, educational pedagogy
2. Educational technology, coding, filming, editing, e-learning
3. Marketing, Communication
The representatives of different fields collaborated well on this project as they all had a clear goal of creating a unique program for music lovers. The preparation phase of the project lasted for several months for the methodology to be designed and video lessons shot. When the first applications arrived, some minor fine-tuning was performed, so that the platform was improved.
The added value of the process was that all the participants share the same love of Balkan music and they had in mind the idea that the project will have a great impact on the Balkans. Also, all people involved in the project have significant experience in education, but they have not collaborated before on a similar project.
The students' evaluations of their satisfaction with the course additionally confirmed that the idea was excellent and the execution was flawless.
The innovativeness of this project centres around four pillars: 1) hybridity as the main instructional approach, 2) scope, 3) its thematic specificity, and 4) course content. Firstly, in terms of the instructional approach, the course is designed as a hybrid learning platform, in which students learn by watching video lessons and following a set of step-by-step instructions, but they also learn through direct contact (both synchronous and asynchronous communication), on the private Facebook group, by posting their homework, analyzing feedback, providing their original work, etc. The course differs from other similar non-formal courses in performing arts as it communicates the Western Balkan cultural heritage through hybrid instruction, by creating a new, ‘’META” space of belonging for people in the Balkans and elsewhere. Secondly, regarding the scope, the main idea of the course is that anybody can learn to play the accordion ‘’by ear’’, without prior musical knowledge of notes. This means that all music lovers who have a passion for Balkan music can gain performing skills. The project was conceived as a cultural hub which allows people to gain new competences, and share and nurture Balkan cultural values with a group of people of similar interests. Thirdly, the thematic specificity of the course is innovative, as the course content comprises the cultural heritage of the Balkans, more precisely, folk melodies and national/traditional music of this region. Finally, the content has been designed as a unique combination of accordion foundations taught in elementary musical schools and traditional Balkan musical backgrounds. The syllabus was developed by 3 eminent music experts (Mr Smrekic, a music ethnologist from Cacak, Mr Nikolic, a music teacher, and PhD Golemovic, Belgrade Academy of Arts). These 4 elements are what differentiate this project from all other similar initiatives. The best evidence of success is the number of more than 550 satisfied students.
The elements of our initiative could be easily replicated in any similar cultural project that focuses on performing arts (playing an instrument), especially in terms of the hybridity of the approach. The platform that has been designed for the purposes of this project is an original work and could easily be adapted for other purposes. A suggestion can be made, that a similar program could be implemented for singing as well.
As the program is available online, it is accessible off limits to all people around the globe 24/7, and in that way geographical places appear irrelevant.
Our approach is developed as a hybrid program of traditional (Balkan) accordion for beginners or those who do not have prior skills in this instrument. The knowledge of notes and theory is not necessary. The program is called - Play by the ear. The instruction is delivered through 30 weeks and it consists of 30 thematic video lessons (step-by-step instruction) accompanied by additional learning materials and direct contact with the instructor. Once they enrol, students are provided with unlimited access to the accordion learning platform with over 40 hours of video material, demonstrations, teaching lessons, exercises and homework/projects. The platform contains over 200 exercises placed across these 30 lessons, which are all guided by an experienced instructor who holds a degree in teaching music. The course is designed by mixing two approaches: the traditional syllabus in accordion found in state musical schools, and the traditional folk heritage melodies adapted for this purpose. Students have a support group on Facebook and have regular assignments and projects, and regularly get feedback. The focus is on Balkan traditional music, and the experienced instructor provides step-by-step instructions, allowing students to learn at their own pace. With a focus on sustainability, inclusion, and cultural benefits, this course offers a unique opportunity to develop musical skills and gain a deeper understanding of Balkan traditional music. It is also a community of belonging where participants share their musical influences, exchange music, and talk about further improvements in their skills. By completing the course, students achieve a significant milestone in their lifelong learning journey and gain a new skill and appreciation for Balkan traditional music. After a year and a half after the launch of the project, we witness many students' expressions of satisfaction.
1. Cultural preservation: Balkan traditional music is a unique and valuable cultural heritage, and by providing a platform for its preservation and promotion, the course addresses the global challenge of cultural homogenization. By preserving and promoting this music, the course provides a local solution to the threat of cultural loss on a global scale.
2. Access to education: By making the course accessible online and pricing it reasonably, the project addresses the global challenge of unequal access to education. The course provides individuals with the opportunity to learn about and play Balkan traditional music, regardless of their location or financial situation.
3. Empowerment of local communities: The course provides opportunities for local musicians to share their skills and knowledge, helping to sustain the local music scene and supporting the livelihoods of musicians. By doing so, the course addresses the global challenge of unequal economic opportunities, by providing a local solution to support local communities.
4. Promotion of cultural exchange: By bringing people together from different backgrounds to learn about Balkan traditional music, the course promotes cultural exchange and understanding. This helps to address the global challenge of cultural division and mistrust, by fostering greater understanding and appreciation for diverse cultural traditions.
The program was launched in August 2021, but new students enrol daily. So far, 570 students have enrolled on the course. right now, there are about 160 students who are taking the course (in progress). Based on our evaluation report, overall, there is a high level of satisfaction among those who completed the course. A number of them want an additional (second-level/upgrade) course to be designed and offered to them.
From what they say, several key takeaways are mentioned:
1. Methodologically excellent, easy to understand
2. Affordable price
3. Exclusive right to learn from the experts
4. Enhanced sense of belonging to a particular community or cultural group, feeling of fulfilment, and empowerment to dedicate more to life-long learning.
(Evidence provided in PDF file).
In terms of expanding the initiative, a plan is to try and make an orchestral performance with the students who completed the course and to design an second level of the program.
Our initiative contributes to developing new competences in the context of the EU competence framework on sustainability as it first adds to improving the general literacy of the EU population, especially in enhancing life-learning skills, digital literacy and shared learning. The project provides supportive learning environments and enables hands-on, practical teaching (as it refers to mastering a skill) and it is interdisciplinary and relevant to the local (regional) contexts. It is inclusive for all levels of formal education, all nations, religions, and sexes. It also actively involves local experts. The program promotes fairness in learning an instrument and equal access for all interested. There is zero waste as it is delivered online.
