Gypsy musicians in Thrace and musical learning through experience

Like other Gypsies all over the world, Thracian Gypsies also stand out with their musical talents. Historically, just like their poverty, musicianship is a family tradition. In spite of all negative conditions, streets of Gypsy neighborhoods challenge "elite" music schools through forming a social education center. Here, musical knowledge and talent are also social just in the same way as these streets. That's why Gypsy means music, music means Gypsy. In this research focusing on musical learning practiced in the lives of Gypsies, qualitative research methods were adopted and data of this research were gathered from a study group composed of 36 participants from throughout Thrace (Kesan, Edirne, Tekirdag, Hayrabolu, Kirklareli, Luleburgaz). Gypsy musicians older than seven years old were selected for the study group. Questions were prepared for 16 masters, 12 apprentices and 8 families. Data obtained by semi-structured interview methods were converted into text, were resolved by descriptive analysis and supported by related literature.This research based on qualitative approach was carried out in the frame of four sub-problems. At first, elements of musical learning in the lives of Thracian Gypsies were focused in the study. These are typical prominent features of musical life and learning of Gypsies. In this sense, firstly, public domains like streets and neighborhoods having effective role in musical learning of Gypsies draw attention. For Gypsies living here, music is first of all a way of earning their lives. So, musicianship as a profession is observed as a craft here. Music craft requires the analysis of the subject in the scope of master- apprentice relation and this relation highlights learning within the work.Secondly, in the study, musical learning process in the lives of Gypsy musicians and factors in this process were emphasized. In this context, musical learning process was evaluated under three sub-heading: "orientation", "accumulation" and "production". Then, environment and method affecting musical learning process was stressed; music writing and the place of school in learning process were argued in the light of findings.The other focus of the study is the instrument selection process. Here, factors affecting instrument selection were handled; a response to the question of what is affecting instrument selection of Thracian Gypsies was researched. For this purpose, instrument selection process related to social request, economic conditions, technological advancements and physical features of a child were argued in the scope of the findings.The last focus of the study is the relation between musical learning and gender. The position of women in the lives of Gypsies is not so different from general position of women in society. The relation between music and women, which was closer in the past, has a passive character today. Conservatism directing social pressure increased its pressure on women, thus women were torn apart from the musical life that they used to effectively participate.So, the study conducted within the frames mentioned above, researches how musical learning takes place in the lives of Gypsies.