Your cart
There are no more items in your cart
The Galician Bagpipe, the magical folk music instrument
José Manuel Gil, the builder, tells us all the details about the Galician Bagpipe, analyzing its design as a luthier, and explaining the musical possibilities of this ancient instrument that continues to evolve in modern times.
At the age of 15, he began his journey as a Bagpipe builder. Today, Jose Manuel Gil is a leading figure when it comes to envisioning and constructing the present and future of the Galician Bagpipe.
At Maderas Barber, we are fortunate to be part of a team that inherits 66 years of well-done work, a constant effort to support and accompany each luthier in their daily endeavors. They (you) are the true creators of magical instruments. Our catalog includes the necessary woods for building bagpipes and other wind instruments.
Perhaps it's for this reason that Gaitero José Manuel Gil graciously and untroubledly accepted our invitation to share this interview, which we could call a Bagpipe MasterClass.
We coordinated an early call, and he responded from his workshop, where the construction of bagpipes seems to flourish amidst the Galician nature in Ponteareas (Galicia). There is an immediate empathy, as we are connected by the love for wood and the passion for lutherie.
The origins of the Galician Bagpipe
From Nero to the tungsten reed, the history of the bagpipe seems inexhaustible. José Manuel summarizes it for us in just a few minutes to enable us to delve into the musical and mechanical concepts. This folkloric instrument has traveled throughout Europe for two thousand years, serving as a cultural emblem for Celtic peoples. Today, it finds its greatest strength in Scotland and throughout the northern region of Spain, with Galicia and Asturias being its ultimate reference points.
How does a bagpipe work in terms of musical language?
The tuning of the Galician Bagpipe is a complex topic, and finding reliable information on the internet can be quite challenging. In this part of the interview, Jose Manuel sheds light on the musical mystery hidden within the Galician Bagpipe. The "Ronco," "Ronqueta," "Chillón," and "Puntero" together form the harmonic landscape of this folkloric instrument, which throughout history has developed its musical versatility. Nowadays, Galician Bagpipes can be found in all tonalities, with different harmonic structures, and even a key system that allows for a sort of modulation.
The integration of the Galician Bagpipe as a study instrument in conservatories is bringing about a positive transformation for the instrument. Musicians demand more, and bagpipe makers work tirelessly every day to meet these expectations for an instrument that, despite its ancient origins, is still evolving both technically and artistically.
How is a bagpipe constructed?
We began to talk about lutherie, and if until this moment you thought that Jose Manuel was an expert, now we double down on that claim. His experience as a bagpipe builder is evident in the precision and clarity of his words when explaining the construction processes of this fascinating folk instrument.
The first question is unavoidable: What do we need to build a bagpipe? Jose Manuel responds with immediate certainty, "The main thing is good wood," and he mentions that for bagpipe construction, they work with granadillo and boj.
They also use Cocobolo and Violetwood, although to a lesser extent. All these woods can be found in our online store with the necessary measurements for the different parts of the bagpipe, optimizing the wood usage and reducing waste. This way, we promote even more sustainable production and help you reduce your production costs. .
Galician Bagpipe Music and a piece of advice for beginners.
We always like to end the interviews with a piece of advice for those who are starting in this exciting world of lutherie, craftsmanship, and music. Jose Manuel is clear: one must preserve the enthusiasm and eagerness each day. The craft of building instruments may seem as challenging as it is fascinating, perhaps paralleling the construction of the instrument itself.
He also recommends some Galician Bagpipe musicians for us to take a break from our thoughts and indulge in the magical soundscape they create.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get 10% discount to become a VIP Premium customer.
Do you prefer to receive our news by Whatsapp? Join our diffusion list in 1 click.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get 10% discount to become a VIP Premium customer.
Do you prefer to receive them by Whatsapp? Join our diffusion list in 1 click.
Comments (0)
No comments at this moment
