Folk Bagpipes Catalog

Although the Galician Gaita is certainly ancestral, the established folk instrument is a recent evolution from the 1920s, that was more firmly standardized in the 90s.

The “Gaita de fol” (pipe with bag) also called by its region “Gaita Galega” is a wonderful, flexible instrument, that uses narrower bores than its ancestors, making it slightly more silent and mellow.
During its history, the Galician Gaita grew from a single drone instrument to now up to three.
It now plays Jonian mode (or a major scale), is fully chromatic, and is able to play into the second octave.

The established fingering is now fully open, with some of the old closed fingerings still available.

Of course, during its positive evolution, it also lost some amazing characteristics.
For that, check out Historical replicas

The Portuguese piping tradition trails back centuries. However, the established Portuguese Gaita is a recent evolution from the late 1990s. From three known regional models, the Portuguese are still standardizing their Folk bagpipe.

The “Gaita-de-foles” (pipe with bag) also sometimes called, depending on its region, “Gaita Mirandesa“, is a powerful, although rounded, sound instrument, that uses similar large bores as its ancestors, keeping much of the old timbre.
During its history, the Portuguese Gaita has kept its very traditional single drone over the shoulder, and its goat-shaped bag.

The scale is still an ongoing debate. However, its most consensual and distinctive chanter feature is to have a minor 3rd (or melodic minor scale), with the 6th and 7th still being debated.

The chanter can now venture into the second octave and into chromatic modulations.

The evidence seems to point to a long-standing tradition of fully open fingering style. However, the chanter responds well to closed fingerings, making other scales and intonations available to the advanced piper.

Of course, during its positive evolution, it also lost some fantastic characteristics.
For that, check out Historical replicas

Although the Galician Gaita is certainly ancestral, the established folk instrument is a recent evolution from the 1920s, that was more firmly standardized in the 90s.

The “Gaita de fol” (pipe with bag) also called by its region “Gaita Galega” is a wonderful, flexible instrument, that uses narrower bores than its ancestors, making it slightly more silent and mellow.
During its history, the Galician Gaita grew from a single drone instrument to now up to three.
It now plays Jonian mode (or a major scale), is fully chromatic, and is able to play into the second octave.

The established fingering is now fully open, with some of the old closed fingerings still available.

Of course, during its positive evolution, it also lost some amazing characteristics.
For that, check out Historical replicas

The Portuguese piping tradition trails back centuries. However, the established Portuguese Gaita is a recent evolution from the late 1990s. From three known regional models, the Portuguese are still standardizing their Folk bagpipe.

The “Gaita-de-foles” (pipe with bag) also sometimes called, depending on its region, “Gaita Mirandesa“, is a powerful, although rounded, sound instrument, that uses similar large bores as its ancestors, keeping much of the old timbre.
During its history, the Portuguese Gaita has kept its very traditional single drone over the shoulder, and its goat-shaped bag.

The scale is still an ongoing debate. However, its most consensual and distinctive chanter feature is to have a minor 3rd (or melodic minor scale), with the 6th and 7th still being debated.

The chanter can now venture into the second octave and into chromatic modulations.

The evidence seems to point to a long-standing tradition of fully open fingering style. However, the chanter responds well to closed fingerings, making other scales and intonations available to the advanced piper.

Of course, during its positive evolution, it also lost some fantastic characteristics.
For that, check out Historical replicas