Slovenian Oberkrainer music is my musical root — the style made world-famous by Slavko Avsenik. Live 1-on-1 coaching in the harmony, bass lines, bellows technique and phrasing that define this genre.
Book Oberkrainer Coaching →Oberkrainer music is a Slovenian folk style made world-famous by Slavko Avsenik and his ensemble from the 1950s onward — distinctive accordion-led harmonics, yodelling lines, clarinet- and trumpet-driven melodies, and Carinthian-Slovenian folk rhythms. It spread from Slovenia and Carinthia across much of Central Europe and remains one of the most recognisable folk-music exports of the region.
Oberkrainer harmony diverges sharply from classical Western music theory. I teach you how to interpret this music authentically — from the characteristic bass lines and bellows technique to ornamentation, phrasing, and the rhythmic drive that defines the style. Whether diatonic, chromatic, or piano accordion — you learn the idioms from the inside out.
Beyond teaching, I am an active performer, composer and producer in the Oberkrainer genre — this isn't secondhand knowledge, it's decades of stage and studio experience I bring directly into lessons.
I have recorded 10 CDs and compilations with various instrumentations as accordionist, composer, arranger, and music producer in Slovenia and Austria, written around 70 of my own compositions and numerous arrangements for small and large ensembles, and received several awards at various festivals.
Beyond individual accordion coaching, I also offer arranging services and compositions for bands and ensembles playing Oberkrainer music. I arrange existing pieces for your specific instrumentation — from solo accordion parts to full Oberkrainer band lineups with clarinet, trumpet, baritone, Steirische harmonika, and rhythm section. Original compositions in the Oberkrainer style for your band are also available.
Ask About Arranging →Oberkrainer music is a Slovenian folk style made world-famous by Slavko Avsenik and his ensemble from the 1950s onward. It's characterised by accordion-led harmonics, yodelling elements, clarinet- and trumpet-driven melodies, and Carinthian-Slovenian folk rhythms. The style diverges sharply from classical Western music theory and has spread from Slovenia and Carinthia across much of Central Europe.
No, but it helps. Students who already have accordion fundamentals — diatonic, chromatic, or piano accordion — can move straight into the style-specific bass lines, bellows technique, and phrasing of Oberkrainer music. Absolute beginners start with accordion basics first and then flow into the Oberkrainer idiom once bellows and bass buttons feel secure.
Traditionally Oberkrainer music is played mostly on diatonic or chromatic button accordion, but piano accordion is also well established in the genre and used by many Oberkrainer ensembles. I teach the style on all three instrument types and adapt the exercises accordingly — the characteristic bass lines, bellows technique, and phrasing can be built on any accordion type.
Yes. Beyond individual accordion coaching, I arrange existing pieces for your specific band lineup — from solo accordion parts to full Oberkrainer instrumentation with clarinet, trumpet, baritone, Steirische harmonika, and rhythm section. Original compositions in the Oberkrainer style are also available. With over 70 original works and 10 CD productions as accordionist, composer, arranger, and music producer in Slovenia and Austria, I know what works in this genre on stage and in the studio.
Yes. The chord progressions, bass-line techniques, improvisation approaches, and rhythmic phrasing built in Oberkrainer lessons also transfer to piano and all other keyboard instruments. Conversely, students with piano background often pick up the harmony of this style faster, since chord theory and note-reading are already in place.
For Oberkrainer coaching, I recommend the ML-Ambitious Student package: €229/month for 4 individual 60-minute lessons, incl. 16% VAT (plus a one-time €5 joining fee, cancel anytime). These longer sessions suit this very special coaching niche better — bass lines, bellows technique, arranging and band prep need more time per lesson than standard instruction. The full pricing overview including every package is at mircolieber.eu/pricing-plans/list.
Book a free 15-minute intro call, or go straight to a dedicated Oberkrainer coaching package — live 1-on-1 via Zoom.
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