Manolis Hiotis, a talented musician at that time, saw it and began to master it. Harry Lemonopoulos, a violinist, also fell in love with this new bouzouki. Ironically, these first players became, and are still considered the best all time players of the 8 string bouzouki.

The 8 string bouzouki provided the player with more comfortable harmonic and melodic fingerings than did its predecessor, the 6 string bouzouki. Even though the 6 stringer did not offer many easy movements, it was unbeatable when it came to the taximia (solos). The great late Yiannis Papaioannou, an early player of the 6 string bouzouki, is considered the best all-time taxim player.

When many of the old timers switched from the 6 stringer to the 8 stringer, they used many of their old fingerings, which made their playing unique. Even though these old fingerings are considered unorthodox by modern standards, they are most valuable in that they produce the old time flavor.

Those who would like to learn the old time fingering methods, which were passed down through the years, should order a "73 Movable Scale Patterns for the 8 String Bouzouki". Unlike any other method book, this collection of charts diagram the most popular fingerings used by both the old timers, and also the modern players.  

For those who want to gain a solid foundational understanding of Greek music on which to build, there is no better course than "Bouzouki My Love I".  Everyone can now learn the dromoi and the harmonies of our Greek music as taught by one of the greatest  bouzouki players that ever lived, the great late Harry Lemonopoulos.    Combined with "Building Rebetika Style Taximia", one can begin enjoying and expressing himself as did the old rebetes, through the beautiful sound of the bouzouki.