Traditional Albanian music is a mix of diverse rhythms and melodies. The songs of Albanian music are an oral tradition and have not been written down. Even as contact with other cultures has grown and their influence increasingly evident, Albanians have preserved the integrity of their musical culture. It is difficult to give an exact date for sons, but the themes indicate that many are ancient. The Shkumbin River that separates the north from the south of Albania represents not only a geographical boundary but also a border of language and music.

In the north, traditional songs are monophonic and are accompanied by a stringed instrument called the "lahute". The lyrics of these songs reveal mainly themes of epic history that originated in the 15th Century during the resistance wars against Ottoman domination, but songs of love and longing are not missing from the repertoire.

In the south, songs tend to be polyphonic and a capella similar to the ancient traditions of polyphony in Europe. Albania???s polyphonic songs are the remaining witness to this tradition. Different from the north, the lyrics of the south feature themes of love and eroticism with historical themes coming second.

Emigration, known as "kurbeti," has been a theme of both polyphonic and monophonic songs full of sadness and great pain. In the case of choral songs there are three main elements: Marresi, Preresi and Hedhesi. "Marresi" are those who give the song rhythm and intonation; "Preresi" interject with calls and shouts during the song; and "Hedhesi" provide continuous undertones and bass to support the rhythm.