Gaita originates not exclusively from Galicia and has its roots also in Asturias as well as the eastern part of Leon province. It consists of a chanter (punteiro) with a double reed, similar to the one of an oboe (made of cane) and one or two drones. Those are usually the base (ronco) and the tenor (ronqueta), tuned in one octave. Bass drone rests on the shoulder of a piper (gaitero) and tenor comes from the other side of the bag and rests on the forearm. Unlike the chanter, the drones have single reeds similar to the ones of a clarinet and can be made either traditionally of cane or modern synthetic materials. The chanter has a wide conical bore, seven finger holes in the front and one thumb hole in the back. In the bell part of the chanter there are three vent holes for stabilising the air flow.

In our workshop we make Gaita Gallega in three main keys – D, C and B flat.  Watch them in concert

Watch on youtube.

Galician Gaita: “Oriolus”

Model: “Oriolus”
Wood: Boxwood
Tuning pins, ferrules: bronze
Drone caps: briar
Mounts: ebonite
Bag: GoreTex
Cover: velvet, cotton fabric, silk cord, fringe
Reeds: fiberglass (drones), cane (chanter)

 

Tenor Drone

Bass Drone. By turning a middle ring the drone can easily be pitched a tone higher.

Drone Caps

Galician Gaita: “Sylvia”

Model: “Sylvia”
Wood: Boxwood
Ferrules & Drone caps: ebonite
Bag: cow skin, inner stitch
Cover: velvet, cotton fabric, silk cord, fringe
Reeds: cane

Galician Gaita Thumbal

Key C flat Wood: Boxwood Tuning pins, ferrules: stainless steel Drone caps: ebonite
Using of stainless steel in drones design Covers for gaita Drones for gaita

Also you can order for your Gaita the following:

Sopranino drone (Ronquillo)

“Thurdus” drones design

C” Chanter for Gaita Gallega: it has authentic middle age design and was made for “Musica Radicum” music band in summer, 2008.