Zampoña

What it means

The zampoña is a panpipe from the Andean region: a row of stopped tubes of different lengths, bound together side by side and blown across the upper edge. Characteristic is that the note stock is distributed over two instrument parts — the tubes of a scale lie alternately on one half and the other. A single player can therefore only produce every second note; for a continuous melody, two players are needed, or one player holds both halves together.

Musical use

The division is not a shortcoming but the basis of a way of music-making: two players complement each other by alternately contributing their notes, so that a melody arises that neither plays alone. This principle of interlocking shapes the music of whole ensembles and is closely connected with dance and communal occasions. Zampoñas are built in various sizes that together sound in octaves and further registers. Designations, tunings, and body shapes differ considerably by region; generalizing statements are to be treated with caution.

Performance practice

It is blown across the edge of the tube, similarly to blowing across the top of a bottle; direct the airstream flat and precisely, rather than blowing into it. The lower lip rests at the tube's edge and serves as orientation when switching between tubes, which happens through a small movement of the head. Practise first a stable tone on a single tube, then the switch between neighbouring ones. Intonation can easily be changed via the blowing angle — use this for adjustment within the ensemble. Let the instrument dry after playing and protect the tube material from great heat.

Bear in mind that the interplay of two players must be rehearsed like a shared breath: each knows their own half of the melody and at the same time listens to the other, so that no gaps arise. Practise slowly at first and count along. For intonation within the ensemble, a shared reference pitch helps, because instruments of different origin deviate from one another. Expect that moisture in the tube changes the response; blow the tubes carefully clear and let the instrument dry after playing.