Zampogna.ch

Ilario Garbani's homepage

Bagpipes school

As a piva and zampogna player since eight years in the Duo “Zampogna and Diana”, I receive many many requests, especially at Christmas-time, that are impossible for me to satisfy. That’s why I’ve decided to found this school which will allow to train new piva or zampogna players. The instrument is easy to learn, the fingering is simple as it plays in a single tonality and can perform eight notes. Beginning in February, with medium engagement, it is already possible to perform some short sonatas by December.

Anybody can learn, even without having previously studied music. The method I suggest, tested in 1999, provides musical vases to read the notes. Learners are provided with some musics and a CD with two versions of the course melodies: one with bagpipe and the other with the electronic keyboard.

The instruments that are taught:

Piva (or baghet) has been played in Ticino till the beginning of 1900; it is very easy to acquire at a moderate cost (about 700/800 CHF).

Zampogna a little more difficult to learn, it is usually used as accompaniment, and its price is similar to the piva’s.

The other bagpipes (Spanish, French, Scottish, Irish) are more expensive and are advised after having trained on the piva.

Lessons can be individual or in groups, evenings and on Saturday mornings. Opportunities to organize intensive week ends.

For the moment classes take place in Balerna, Camorino, and Cavigliano. In September it is expected the opening of a new seat in Lugano. As a rule classes take place every other week, but according to participants and to work rhythm, the lessons can occur more frequently. For advanced learners there is the possibility of thorough examination with foreign teachers.

Enrollments can be done by filling out the module or by e-mail.