flabiol

The flabiol is a traditional wind instrument native to the Iberian Peninsula, most closely associated with Catalan folk music. It is commonly played in conjunction with a drum in paired performances known as tambor i flabiol, a hallmark of rural processions, dances, and festive events in Catalonia and parts of Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

Historically, the flabiol appears in medieval and early modern Catalan musical culture as part of local rustic ensembles. Its use persisted in rural communities into the 19th and 20th centuries and was revived in the late 20th century by folk revival groups and early-music ensembles.

Construction and design: flabiols are typically made of wood and shaped as a small flute-like instrument. They feature finger holes along the front and some form of thumb hole or secondary mechanism to enable pitch control; the exact hole layout and bore vary among makers. The instrument is usually tuned to a diatonic scale suitable for traditional tunes, though modern makers sometimes provide chromatic options or keys.

Playing technique and musical role: the flabiol is traditionally played with both hands and is capable of melodic, ornamental lines and rhythmic motifs when used with the tambor. In the tambor i flabiol pairing, the flabiol often carries the melody or countermelody while the drum keeps time.

Modern use and recognition: today the flabiol is taught in folk music schools and performed by amateur and professional groups in Catalonia and neighboring regions. Contemporary makers produce instrument variants for traditional and early-music contexts, sustaining a living tradition.