THE DIATONIC ZAMPOÑA

The zampoña is composed of two rows of pipes; Arka and Ira.

In general, the materials used in its making are bamboo canes from tropical areas. The varieties we present here are the standardized ones, within the Andes´ urban music.

The most common tuning, used by the musicians, is G and this is, for all sizes. The denominations for each size we use here, are the ones mostly used in musical scenes, as the variations can be given, according to the geographical environment, language, time period or even, to the musical groups.

The same thing goes with the sizes that can have very slight variations.

SIZES

MALTA The malta is the predominant instrument in the Andean urban folklore and its average size is of 28.50 cm. for the largest pipe. Commonly, the Arka is made of 7 pipes and the Ira, of 6 (Maltaof 6, 7). However, among musicians, it also is frequent to see maltas of 8 and 7 or 9 and 8 pipes. REGISTER

BASTO It is an excellent complement to the malta and the size of a 6,7 basto, is of about 58 cm. in average. For the rest, the tuning and distribution of the notes of the scale obey to the same principle than that of the malta. In general, its intervention is done giving the octave and counterpoint to the other wind instruments or as a background to a voice. REGISTER BASTO

THE TOYO The toyo is the largest instrument in the pan flute family and its size can reach 1.35 m. In general, it is used as a soloist instrument, played by two musicians. In the region of Puno and Bolivia, there are traditional style ensembles, with a minimum of 12 members, composed of percussions and toyos. REGISTER

THE CHILI The chili is the smallest of the family and its use, in popular groups, is sporadic. Sometimes, it is played as a solo, in some part of a song or simultaneously, with other instruments and especially, with wind instruments. Its average size is of 14 cm     REGISTER

 

THE CHROMATIC ZAMPOÑA

The chromatic zampoña is an extension of the diatonic pan flute previously described.

It has the twelve half tones which give it the equivalence to any modern universal instrument.

Regarding the rows of pipes, the zampoña we use is of two rows. However, there also are other versions. As far as the size is concerned, in general, the medium size chromatic zampoña already is a combination of malta and chili.

Many musicians also use a second variation which already includes chili, malta and basto. A third variation is the chromatic base which can include the toyo, basto and part of the malta, according to the musician´s taste.

Currently, among musicians, the inclusion of the chromatic zampoña to the wind instruments´ set is almost indispensable