This originally three string and later four string musical instrument, is the living tradition of Greece and the connective node with the immortal tradition of the Byzantine Empire. The bouzouki as we know it today, was first introduced in the late '20s early 30's when it replaced violin, 'canonaki', Outi and other instruments, that were used for the 'Rebetiko' songs. The bouzouki based 'Rebetiko band' (KOMPANIA), was the origin of the 'Peireotiki' school of 'Rebetiko, which was the evolution of the 'Smyrneiki' school. The first band of the 'Peireotiki' school composed from Markos Bambakaris, Batis , Anestos Delias (Artemis) and Stratos Pagioumtzis. This band was called "Tetras the Legendary of Piraeus" is considered as the 'classical' representative of the 'Rebetiko', and their creations will remain eternally as high culture musical achievements. In this period the bouzouki has three strings and it was played in the places that rebetes used to be: "tekedes" (hashish houses), "koutoukia" (taverns) and jail. Because of its artistic value, Rebetiko, very soon became very popular and after the second world war period, it broke the limits of the "Rebetiko" family and it reached every Greek family. During this period (late 40's early 50's) the bouzouki was added the fourth course of strings and changed the tuning from D, A, D to D, A, F, C and the first who played it was the legendary soloist Manoli Hiotis. This fourth string made the bouzouki a more complete musical instrument able to produce almost any kind of music.