Pontic Greek music

Pontic Greek music, also called Pontian Greek music, comprises the musical traditions of the Pontic Greeks from antiquity to the modern day. Song and dance have a long history in the Pontos, ranging from ancient dances to the Acritic songs to folk songs. Certain dances date to ancient times, such as the pyrrhichios. Pontian music has evolved alongside Pontic dance.

Acritic songs, which describe folk heroes such as Digenes Akritas who lived and fought on the borders of the empire in Byzantine times, date to the medieval era. These songs were also sung in other parts of the Byzantine empire. Versions of the Acritic songs exist today, accompanied by modern Pontic instruments and singing techniques. More recent folk songs include love songs, mourning songs, and war songs. These date to the late 1800s or earlier during Ottoman times. After the Greek genocide and 1923 population exchange pushed most Pontians out of their traditional homeland, Pontians wrote new folk songs about their experiences in the diaspora. In the 1970s, the Neopontic genre emerged, which combined traditional Pontian folk music with contemporary Greek popular music.

Traditional instruments used in the 21st century include the lyra, daouli, zourna, dankiyo, touloum, and oud. Pontian folk music often incorporates polyphony, which is the simultaneous use of multiple melodies. Pontic music is structured in hexachords and typically has a rapid tempo. Asymmetric rhythms are common. Instrumental music may be accompanied by vocals, and singers typically use vibrato. Some songs are set up in a call-and-response style, with a lead singer and a chorus. The 5/8 rhythm is typical of modern Pontic music.

Pontic Greek music has been influenced by the various cultures present in the Black Sea region throughout history, especially Laz music.