How to Make a Balkan Pop Hit

A simple guide to get you started!

Why Your Beats Need a Balkan Twist?

Technology has completely transformed the way we create music. Today, all you need is a laptop, headphones, and a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), and you’re ready to jump into music production. With an abundance of tools available at low costs—or even for free—it’s never been easier to bring your ideas to life and start making music.

However, turning music production into a full-time career comes with its challenges. The sheer number of creators out there can make it feel like your music might get lost in the sea of content. That’s why many producers are always on the lookout for fresh sounds, unique styles, and new sources of inspiration to help them stand out.

One often-overlooked but rich source of musical inspiration is the Balkans. Known for its vibrant, oriental-inspired melodies and rhythms, Balkan music carries a mystique that feels both familiar and exotic—especially to a Western audience. It’s no wonder that in recent years, more and more producers have been incorporating Balkan influences into their tracks, giving their music a distinctive edge.

This guide will help you understand how to craft melodies and beats that have that unmistakable “Balkan” flavor, giving your music a fresh twist.

CHORDS

Let’s start with the basics and build up from there: the chords. While there are countless ways to craft a memorable chord progression, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. In fact, the most unique progressions often come from stepping outside of the norm and experimenting. However, starting with a reliable pattern can give you a foundation to build from and spark your creativity.

A common question among new producers is:

“What scale is used in Balkan music?” Surprisingly, the answer isn’t as exotic as many think. Most Balkan beats and songs, like their Western counterparts, are built using the natural minor scale.

For this example, we’ll work in G minor (G min) and create a simple yet effective chord progression. Set the tempo to 100 BPM, and let’s build from there!For this example, let’s work in G minor (min) and create a simple but effective chord progression. Set the tempo to 100bpm.

In many Balkan pop/trap beats on platforms like YouTube or BeatStars, the chord progression is often played in a rhythmic, plucked style that resembles reggaeton. If you pay attention, the rhythm typically mirrors the bounce of a reggaeton beat.

Start by selecting a short, plucked instrument such as a kalimba, mallets, piano, or synth pluck. Then, input the root notes of your progression, using 16th notes at the beginning of each bar. For this example, we begin with: G → Bb → Eb → F. At this stage, we’re only placing single notes—not full chords—which will help establish a groove later on.

Once you’ve placed the root notes, begin building chords using just two notes. Skip one note in the scale above the root, then skip another and add the third note. This creates small two-note harmonies that add depth while keeping the rhythm dynamic. So far, the first note hits on beat 1, the next note lands on the “and” of beat 1 (creating syncopation), the next on beat 2, and so on. This rhythm, much like reggaeton, emphasizes accents in a way that gives the beat a groovy feel instead of sounding rigid.

CHORDS

A little trick you can use is to add another note right

before the chord hits, just like the screenshot.

CHORDS

To make your chord progression more engaging and fuller, consider adding an extra note on top of each chord—an octave above the root. This creates a subtle melody that adds movement and a richer harmonic texture to your progression. You don’t need to follow strict rules; simply choose notes by ear that sound good and align with the mood of your track. Small variations like this can significantly elevate the sound and make your chords stand out.

And that’s it for the chords! But if you prefer the simpler, more straightforward sound from before, that works too! The key is finding what resonates with your track.

BASS

Now, let’s add the bass to bring some depth to the track. Start by selecting a bass preset that fits the vibe you’re going for. It’s mostly a matter of personal taste, but generally, a shorter bass sound with less decay and release works best. This keeps the groove tight and punchy, adding energy to the rhythm.

Use the root notes from your chord progression (or the single notes we laid down earlier) and create a rhythmic pattern that complements the chords. The key is to keep the bass locked into the groove, enhancing the bounce and energy of the track.

Focus on shorter, well-placed notes that help the bassline feel dynamic and engaging—just like in the example shown in the screenshot. This will give your track that deep, punchy feel while staying in sync with the rhythm.

DRUMS

As previously mentioned, the drum patterns – and even the drum samples – are often reminiscent of a reggaeton beat. The kick pattern typically follows a straightforward “four on the floor” rhythm, similar to house music, but feel free to experiment. You can try incorporating a dancehall or pop-style kick pattern – most variations work as long as they maintain the groove.

The snare pattern also draws from reggaeton or dancehall, often coinciding with the chords to emphasize the rhythm. Instead of a traditional snare, you could use a rim shot or a sharp, short clap for a tighter, more punchy effect.

Hi-hats don’t follow a strict formula in this genre, offering room for creativity. Experiment with different rhythmic variations, incorporating rolls, triplets, or syncopated hits to make the groove more engaging. Adding extra percussion on the offbeats can inject more energy – sounds like toms, congas, or ethnic percussion (such as djembe, daire, or tupan) can help evoke a Balkan-inspired vibe.

If you’re on the hunt for the right drum sounds, check out our Tallava Drum Kit (free), which features samples commonly used in this style.

THE LEAD MELODY

One of the most captivating and challenging elements of a Balkan-style beat is the lead melody. This is what truly defines the sound and gives it its unique character. Unlike many EDM tracks, where melodies tend to be repetitive, Balkan melodies are more dynamic, developing over time rather than following a predictable loop.

Here’s the BIG SECRET to nailing that authentic Balkan sound: Ornaments.

Ornaments are small, decorative notes that enhance a melody, making it more expressive and fluid. They bring emotion, movement, and a distinctive character to the music. In Balkan music, ornaments are crucial and contribute to the unique charm of the melodies.

Some of the most commonly used ornaments include melisma, mordent, grupetto, and more. Mastering these techniques will help you achieve that signature Balkan sound and truly bring your melodies to life!

If you’re serious about crafting authentic and expressive melodies, learning how to play the keyboard is the best approach. There are plenty of online courses available, but if you have the time and budget, in-person lessons with a music teacher are ideal. A teacher can adjust lessons to your pace, simplify music theory, help with finger placement, and provide valuable feedback on your technique.

However, not everyone has the time to practice every day, and some producers prefer programming melodies directly into a MIDI editor instead of playing them live. If that’s your approach, here are a few tricks you can use to get started in the piano roll:

Without getting too deep into music theory, here are a few practical tips for creating authentic Balkan-style melodies.

Many Balkan beats rely on simple synth presets with a legato setting, but you can also experiment with acoustic or ethnic instruments. The accordion is a staple in Balkan music and a great choice. Other instruments commonly heard in popular Balkan music include the trumpet, saxophone, and clarinet. Many DAWs offer multi-sampled presets of these instruments; for example, Reason includes a variety of brass instruments as stock presets.

The kaval, a traditional flute, is another important instrument, though honestly, any flute can work well. If you’re looking for an affordable VST for oriental instruments, Surge  is a fantastic option. It’s one of the best in its price range, offering a wide variety of sounds specific to both the Middle East and the Balkans, including bouzuki, baglama, bowed instruments, synth presets, and more.

Ornaments are the key to crafting Balkan-style melodies. They add expressiveness and uniqueness to the melody. Here are some simple ornamentation techniques you can use in your MIDI editor:

Start with a whole note. Zoom in on the MIDI grid so that each bar is divided into 16 equal parts. Add a note in the second “square” (or division). You can also try adding another note by skipping one square in between. This will give the melody more movement and complexity, typical of Balkan ornamentation.

You can do the same, but with a step down:

Here is another interesting one, put the ornament on each 4th 16th note:

Experiment with different combinations of ornaments and techniques to shape your own unique sound. In the full melody we’ve created for this tutorial, you’ll notice how we’ve used several of these ornamentation tricks to add life and character to the phrase.

One important detail: the melody isn’t perfectly quantized. That’s because it was played live on a keyboard, capturing subtle timing variations and natural expression. But don’t worry if you don’t play keys—there are still ways to achieve that organic feel.

You can slightly shift some MIDI notes off the grid to mimic human timing, or use a MIDI effect to “humanize” your melody. These small tweaks go a long way in adding depth and emotion, making the music feel more real and expressive.