The first musical instrument I’ve ever seen closely was an asturian bagpipe made by luthier Carlos M. García I received as a present. I had absolutely no musical knowledge so far, so I looked for a teacher, and I found two: with Alberto Fdez. Varillas I learned to play, and with Pablo Rodríguez Alonso I learned the theory; both studies made within Traditional music School Noega, in Xixón, Asturies. This is the same school I work as a teacher myself today. About a year after beginning my lessons I played pipe for first time as a member of Noega Pipe Band in a performance made in the ‘Concierto pola Oficialidá’ produced by ‘Xunta pola defensa de la llingua’. Since then I’ve played many times in a variety of shows like celtic nights, traditional and medieval markets, pub sessions and other events like weddings; as a soloist, paired with a drummer o as a member of bands and groups which are described in the ‘bands’ section.
There is a kind of music band in Asturies that were very popular in the past century and started to grow again in the last decade: the ‘bandina’ -literally, ‘little band’- wich can be integrated by any combination of pipe, drum, bass drum, accordion, fiddle, clarinet, flute or hurdy-gurdy. These groups are really versatile in our county, as they are suitable for many kinds of performances, being able to play in street or in a big scenario. Many times, the band is created to play for a single show, as one musician is called to play and he asks friends or partners for help. However, in some cases, these musicians keep playing together and become a formal Bandina. I’d like to mention some of them:
Los Llanzones
bandina'l Matu Grosso
bandina tradicional 'A seques'
I’m currently playing as a member of Bandina'l Bache, which is the all-around band that performs with Héctor Braga in his accoustic shows.
tercer abracadabra, aula de música tradicional Noega probando, probando
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