Russian songs for the language-learning set.

December 2, 2006 11:09 AM

Recommend some good Russian songs for guitar?

I am presently studying Russian, and am looking for some russian songs (contemporary rock or folk) that I could learn to play on guitar. Recommendations on CDs / songs appreciated, as well as links to tab sites (in cyrillic).

Thanks!

posted by mammary16 to media & arts (2 comments total)

Nearly all of 'русский рок' is disarmingly simple to play... from the one-chord bards (Владимир Высотский) to Кино to contemp. Russian derivative rock (Brainstorm, Russian emo). For a good overview check http://www.rockanet.ru/100/

As far as sources, google tablature (таблатуры) + whatever you're looking for. gitaristam.ru has a decent list that includes the canonical Russian Rock groups... Regarding recommendations, I really do not like Russian rock/folk /pop music. Too 'produced', too derivative, too simple and even the lyrics - which are more important to a Russian audience than the music - are usually pretty banal. But, hey - there's a def. preference for simulacras in everything related to conspic. consumption/'taste' in Russia. De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum, и тд... one artist that stands out is Julia Vorontsova, but she's much more popular among the indie kids in NYC and Paris than in St. Pete. Good luck, чувак.
posted by cottoncandyhammer at 12:15 PM on December 2, 2006

contemporary(ish) folk: a Russian ex-boyfriend of mine, who was at one point like you learning to play Russian songs on the guitar, was a huuuuuuge fan of Bulat Okudzhava (Булат Окуджава). The wikipedia article linked to there has some audio samples and lyrics, but I can't help so much with the tabs.
posted by whatzit at 5:51 PM on December 2, 2006