+ Contribute
TalkRevision History+ Submit source or correction →
Music

Georgian Polyphonic Singing

ქართული მრავალხმიანობაTbilisi, Svaneti & Guria · Georgia

Three-part secular and liturgical vocal polyphony of the Caucasus featuring untempered fifths, sharp dissonances, and Gurian krimanchuli yodeling.

Photo: Folkroom Archive · CC BY-SA 4.0+ Add licensed photo →

The tradition & historical record

1 min read · 11 cited sources

Sung at the Georgian supra feast table, in mountain work songs, and in stone Orthodox monasteries, Georgian polyphony weaves three independent vocal lines without instrumental accompaniment. [1]

Regional styles range from the austere, slow-moving chords of high Svaneti and the resonant drone songs of Kakheti (Chakrulo) to the four-part contrapuntal virtuosity of Guria. [2]

Transmission & Custody

Documented custodians and practitioner lineages: Rustavi & Basiani State Ensembles · Village Choirs.

Sources on Record
Sourced or Silent · Open Archival Questions

What is still undocumented in this room

+ Answer with a source →
Active Practitioner Census
Current guild- or locality-level count of active masters and apprentices awaits a cited survey.
Field Audio & Notation
CC-licensed performance audio or rhythmic notation is not yet linked to this record.
Vernacular Bibliography
Regional-language monographs and local academy catalogues remain open for citation.

Other rooms in Music

Same family · documented rooms →
Music■■□□ Fading

Saman

Gayo highland polyrhythmic kneeling chant and body-percussion dance performed without musical instruments along a single tightly packed row.

Music■□□□ Critical

Ca trù

Vietnamese chamber music and sung poetry performed by a female đào nương vocalist striking wooden clappers alongside a three-stringed đàn đáy lute.

Music■■■■ Thriving

Gnawa

Moroccan brotherhood music and all-night Lila therapeutic ceremony led by a Maâlem on the three-stringed guembri lute and iron qraqeb.

Music■■■■ Thriving

Javanese Gamelan

Hand-forged bronze percussion orchestra of gongs, metallophones, drums, flute, and bowed lute tuned to sléndro and pélog scales.