This makes it a very entertaining experiment for children or anyone. ![]() In fact, depending on the amount of liquid inside, they produce one sound or another. Most of the groups that play Christmas music in the villages during December use the zambomba to give it that special touch.Īs we all acknowledge, glass containers with liquid in them can produce different sounds. Ask any family if they could imagine a Christmas gathering without the sound of a good zambomba accompanying Christmas carols. However, this instrument is quite traditional in Spanish culture. This instrument of remote origins is an onomatopoeic word that comes from the Congolese word zimbembo, which seems to allude to certain funeral hymns. This instrument is not of Spanish origin, it is believed that it arrived from the Congo to the Iberian Peninsula around the 15th century. These vibrations are amplified by the container and that is where the magic happens. The musician turns the rod or inserts and removes it repeatedly to make the membrane vibrate. A hole is cut in the membrane through which an elongated wooden rod is inserted. It is a friction instrument that serves to give accompaniment and rhythm, formed by a large container and covered by a membrane of skin, leather, or plastic. To sum it up, castanets are a key accompaniment in dance and the rhythmic structure of various musical compositions, being one of the most interesting and ancient percussion instruments that have survived over time to become the symbol of an entire culture, mainly of Flamenco. ![]() And not only in Spain, but castanets are also part of the expression of folklore in Portugal and other Latin American countries. They are part of our folklore in many typical Spanish songs, particularly used to provide percussion and rhythm while the dancers tap their feet.Īlthough castanets are by excellence, a highlight of flamenco, they are also often used in other Spanish folkloric expressions. They are percussion instruments formed by two concave shell-shaped halves that are held with the thumb or middle finger to hit each other. However, it is in Spanish music where they have taken root more fiercely and where they have gained recognition. Curiously, their origin lies in the Phenician culture more than 3000 years ago. Probably few Spanish instruments are as well known worldwide as the castanets. It is widely used in celebrations and military or political acts. To produce the sound, the piper must squeeze the bag with his arm to make the air come out through several tubes while also playing the desired notes and rhythms with his hands, opening and closing holes as if it were a flute. That air reaches a bag called “odre” (again, in Spanish) and inflates it. It is a typical instrument of Asturias, Galicia, and Cantabria, the northern regions of Spain.Įxpert Tip: The musician who plays the bagpipe, known as gaitero in the Spanish language, blows through a tube. ![]() The bagpipe is a well-known wind musical instrument that, although we associate with countries such as Scotland, Ireland, Germany, or even Eastern countries, is also deeply rooted in several Spanish regions. Nowadays, the mainly used material is nylon. The strings can also be very diverse, starting with the type of material (originally they were made of animal guts). Although nowadays, most of them have 6 strings, there also exist Spanish guitars with 7 of them. It is a number that has varied over time, reaching up to 12. We all know that it is a stringed instrument, but it has not always had 6 strings, as the current ones have. Its curved shape, which resembles a woman’s body, has been widely used as metaphors or similes in literature and songs. In its electrified version, it is the most used instrument in genres such as blues, rock, and heavy metal. The Spanish guitar is today a multi-faceted instrument used in both classical and popular music. It is so traditional from Spain that it cannot be missing from this list. The rociera flute (the bagpipe of Huelva)ġ0 famous Spanish instruments you may not have heard aboutĪllow me to take the liberty of mentioning this instrument that we are all undoubtedly familiar with.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |