Flabiol

The one-hand flute is an end-blown flute that is played by the fingers of one hand. The fingers of the other hand are thus free to play a rhythm instrument, usually a drum in the Pyrenees often a tambourine à cordes.

The one-hand flute is either played with the thumb, index and middle fingers, and then use only the overtones from the octave up. The three finger holes serve as the valves of the trumpet to fill the gaps between the natural tones.

The second variety is with all five fingers of the hand. The finger holes for the thumb and the little finger are back ( basal), the other front ( distal) on the flute. This type of flute uses the primary and second octave, and is only in Catalonia widespread ( Flabiol ), all other Western European distribution areas - southern Spain ( Gaita charra ), Aragón ( Chiflo, Gaita ), Basque Country ( Txistu, Xirula ), Southern France ( Galoubet ), England ( Tabor -pipe ) - have the three-finger version.

Flabiol

The Catalan Flabiol ( in spoken language also fluviol ) probably comes from the French flageolet. In ancient times shepherds used and roving game and driving people Flabiols, which were made of pipe or boxwood. Today's flutes are made of ebony. The Flabiol has a length of 22 - 25 cm. The original Flabiol pointed at the basal part has two thumb holes and four finger holes on the distal. End of the 19th century, the number of holes was increased to three basal and 5 distally. In addition, the flute was equipped with a damper mechanisms. The Flabiol is tuned in F major. It sounds 11 tones higher than it appears in the notation. Its range includes two octaves from e3 to e5. The sound generated by the opening and closing of the flaps. Chromatic half- tones are achieved by partially closing the holes.

In the occupation of Cobla, also Sardana Band, Flabiol is simply represented. The player plays the Flabiol with the left and at the same time a rhythm instrument that Tamborí (also called Tambal ), with the right hand. This Spielmann practice was widespread in Europe in the 13th century. Today there is this variety only in the retreat at the foot of the Pyrenees in Catalonia and the Basque Country. The Flabiol (an intermediate introduction) the Sardana always used for the initiation and counterpoint. Although the Flabiol in Cobla takes a leading role, yet some Sardana composers have provided in their works Flabiol small pieces or solo passages.