What Does a Spanish Bagpipe Sound Like?

4/3/2013

Obviously, the best way to answer this question is to simply show you. The videos below are phenomenal examples of the kind of emotion, power, and speed that the Spanish bagpipe (la gaita) can produce.

The first and third videos feature gaiteros (Spanish bagpipers) on the gaita gallega (the bagpipe from Galicia). The second video features a gaitero playing the gaita asturiana (the bagpipe from Asturias).

Emotion: Cristina Pato is one of my favorite Spanish bagpipe musicians. This video of her on the gaita gallega is a sound-trip into another world—a raw, emotional cry from within.

Power: Hevia plays a mean gaita asturiana. It’s crescendo-power is like a great yawp from a mountain top. When you’re up there, it seems like nothing can touch you.

Speed: Carlos Nunez is the Jimi Hendrix of la gaita gallega. His flamenco-fire-fingering is incendiary and may light you on fire. ¡Viva la gaita!