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Zùmbaco (m)

(with) definite article: ? [lo?]
(the) ?

low drone, adjustable: cylindrical, straight, bell, no cavity / single reed

Identical types: 2

Divergent, rear centre; Condofuri (prov. Reggio Calabria); It is either the same length as the chanters, or longer; Its bell is false; It is often deactivated (stopped at its upper end); In the traditional narrative mythology, the bagpipers of the Reggio area say that, in the past, a razor blade was used in its upper end, so as to transform it into a defence tool; This occurred above all during the great religious feasts. When the growing level of excitement, provoked by the event itself, and intensified by the music and the consumption of wine, jeopardised the integrity of the bag, the piper was often forced to defend (by more or less accidental blows) that vulnerable part of his instrument, without which he would no longer be able to play it.

2 pieces (butt piece + bell): 340-505 mm (d); According to Leydi (1979): 384 mm; ibid (1989): c.


Sources

Leydi, Roberto: La zampogna in Europa. Como, 1979, p.138 (size only, no term).

Leydi, Roberto: Typological outlines of the Italian bagpipes. In: SIMP IX (Stockholm, 1989), p.115 (pitch only, no term).

Tucci, Roberta: Le zampogne in Calabria. In: La zampogna: gli aerofoni a sacco in Italia (2005), II, p.117, 123 (pitch).