Mediterranean Music

Mediterranean music encompasses a diverse range of musical styles from countries rich in vibrant sounds and traditions. Blending distinctive instruments, vocal techniques and modal harmonies, it has inspired both popular and classical genres while captivating audiences worldwide.

From France and Italy to Greece and Malta, every country and region brings its own rhythms, textures and traditions. Mediterranean music offers a rich soundscape packed with regional character, making it the perfect choice for documentaries, travel vlogs, food lifestyle content, and more.

 

What are the Key Features of Mediterranean Music?

Diverse regional styles

Across the Mediterranean, every country brings distinctive rhythms, modes and instruments, creating a wide range of musical identities:

• French music: French music often carries a warm, romantic feel, shaped by traditions like chanson and folk dance. Its melodies are both lyrical and intimate, evoking city streets and café culture.
• Italian music: Italian music is lively and expressive, with rhythms that feel closely tied to celebration and dance. From joyful folk traditions to elegant serenades, it offers energy and romance in equal measure.
• Spanish music: From the fiery passion of flamenco to the rhythms of rumba, Spanish music is full of intensity and drama. Its blend of song, dance and texture creates a soulful and festive sound.
• Greek music: Rooted in Byzantine tradition, Greek folk music (Demotiko) carries a strong sense of history and storytelling. It's instantly recognisable for its expressive melodies, created by the bright notes of the bouzouki and melismatic vocal flourishes.
• Balkan music: Balkan music stands out for its irregular, driving rhythms and vibrant, high-energy style. From folk traditions and powerful brass bands to modern "Balkan Beats," it's bold, celebratory, and demands dancing.

Melodic modes and microtones

A traditional feature of Mediterranean music is maqamat, melodic modes with microtones - the intervals that sit between the notes of the Western scale. This creates a sound that feels unfamiliar, ornamental and expressive, giving the music its unique colour and emotional intensity.

For productions, these scales can instantly transport listeners to the region, adding authenticity and atmosphere.

Traditional instruments

Throughout the Mediterranean, traditional instruments bring colour and character to the music, each with a distinctive voice:

• Oud: A pear-shaped stringed instrument central to Middle Eastern music, known for its rich, resonant melodies.
• Bouzouki: A long, plucked string instrument from Greece with bright, ringing tones often linked to folk and dance traditions.
• Doumbek: A goblet-shaped drum that produces sharp, intricate rhythms as well as deep, resonant beats.
• Lyre: One of the oldest instruments to feature in Mediterranean music, it offers a delicate, harp-like sound tied to ancient storytelling and song.
• Rebab: A bowed instrument with a long neck and a rounded body, known for its soulful, nasal tone that has influenced the development of later stringed instruments.
  
  

What are the most popular styles of Mediterranean Music?

Flamenco

Flamenco music is one of Spain’s most authentic art forms, born from the blending of Romani, Spanish, Jewish and Arabian cultures. Known for its fiery guitar, rhythmic hand clapping and passionate dance, flamenco is a music that brims with raw emotion.

Rumba

Rumba originated in 19th-century Cuba, and quickly became one of Latin America's most celebrated music and dance styles. With its driving 4/4 rhythm and romantic melodies, rumba is fast-paced, energetic and deeply expressive. It's a sound that brings movement, warmth and infectious joy to any setting.

 

What Influence has Mediterranean Music had?

While Mediterranean music has been shaped by centuries of different cultures and traditions, its impact reaches far beyond the region.

Instruments such as the Oud and Rebab, which originated in the Middle East, inspired the development of Western mainstays like the violin and guitar. Today, modern artists continue to take inspiration from Mediterranean music, keeping its sounds alive and sharing them with audiences worldwide.

For content creators, these influences bring a palette of sounds that feel both timeless and distinctive. If you're looking for authentic Mediterranean music for your next project, Universal Production Music has a selection of authentic albums and playlists carefully curated by our talented music experts.

Discover a selection of these albums and playlists below, perfect for travel documentaries, cooking content and commercials.