Bouzouki Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

Bouzouki Facts

The bouzouki is a string instrument in the same family as the mandolin and lute. It is a mainstay of modern Greek music and was brought to Greece by immigrants fleeing Asia Minor after the 1919-1922 war. The Irish bouzouki is based on the Greek instrument, and has been popular in traditional Irish folk music since the 1960s. It’s a simple yet beautiful instrument. The flat fronted body is often inlaid with elaborate mother-of-pearl designs.

The instrument is played with a plectrum, a small flat tool used for plucking or strumming. A plectrum is similar to a guitar pick, and is held in the player’s hand. The bouzouki’s sharp metallic sound is reminiscent of a mandolin, but pitched a bit lower. There are two main types: trichordo, with three pairs of strings (known as courses), and tetrachordo, with four pairs of strings.

Related musical string instruments include baglamas (saz), Byzantine lyra, pandura, and tambouras.

More Bouzouki Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a bouzoukist.

Notable bouzoukists include Andreas Karantinis, Ioannis Papaioannou, Michalis Terzis, Vasilis Tsitsanis, and Márkos Vamvakáris.

Greek Musician Playing Bouzouki

Poster Print

Greek Musician Playing Bouzouki Poster

Listen to the Bouzouki

Solo by Andreas Karantinis

AKTINA’s Greek Music Journey featured Greek singer Melina Aslanidou with Andreas Karantinis on the bouzouki. The concert was held at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in Manhattan on June 6, 2013 in honor of AKTINA FM Radio’s 20th year anniversary.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve created more than 2,000 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite bouzouki player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Bouzouki collection.

Find a Bouzouki Online

Gold Tone 8-String Bouzouki

Product details:

Originally a folk instrument from the Eastern Mediterranean (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) that’s usually played solo
Solid spruce top, rosewood fretboard, mahogany back and sides
Natural color, satin finish
Dimensions: 38.5 x 13 x 2 inches (L-W-H)
Brass cast tailpiece, intonated bridge
Includes hard shell carrying case

Gold Tone BZ-500 Bouzouki Gold Tone Hard Shell Case Included

Bouzouki Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite bouzouki player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

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D’Addario J97 Greek Bouzouki Set of 8 Nickleplated Steel Wound Strings – Medium String Gauge D’Addario EJ81 Irish Bouzouki Set of 8 Phosphor Bronze Strings – Medium String Gauge Crossrock ABS Molded Greek Bouzouki Black Hard Shell Case – Fits Most Regular Greek Bouzoukis Handike Bouzouki Stand KOS-205 – Sturdy Wooden Support for Bouzouki Musical String Instrument