EncyclopediaCaña

The cane is an idiophone struck in an indirect way.

Description of the instrument

It is a common cane, cut vertically in half, leaving a lower part intact as a handle. A hole (window) is made on one of the shaking sides, to give that half more flexibility while the other half remains rigid.

Way of playing

The lower part of the window that is intact is used as a handle, to hold the instrument. With one hand the cane is held by the handle, and with the palm of the other hand various strikes are given at the lower end. In this way, the two halves of the cane that are free are struck against each other, producing a sound similar to the kalaka or castanets.

History

As in neighboring countries, in the Basque Country the cane has also been played, especially in areas of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, to rhythmically accompany the fandango, arin-arin, the march and similar pieces.

We met Joseba Uribe Intxaurtieta, an exceptional cane player from Urduliz (interviewed in 1997). Joseba was born in Urduliz (Uribe-kosta) on 07-04-1929. He ran the Zamakona tavern on Somera street of the seven streets of Bilbao, and it was there that we interviewed him and recorded him playing the cane and he gave us a lot of information.

Joseba learned to play the cane when he was 8 years old. At that time, there was a beggar who was walking around Urduliz who played the cane from house to house. Joseba commented that because of his Basque, he must be from the area. Whenever this boudoir passed through Joseba's farmhouse, he played the cane. This is how Joseba learned what he knows.

Joseba Uribe Intxaurtieta from Urduliz playing the cane. Bilbo, 01-02-1997.

Joseba mostly played accompanying some trikitilaris, and he often did it by himself, singing and playing the cane. Among others, Jaime Bilbao from Berango, who accompanied the famous albokari “Txilibrin”, learnt to play the cane from Joseba.

WORKSHOP

We take a piece of cane.

The cane is cut vertically in half, leaving the lower part intact, which will serve as the handle.

In one of the halves that is shaken, a window is made, to give more flexibility.

The cane is ready to be used.

SOURCES

Bibliography

BELTRAN ARGIÑENA, Juan Mari. (1996). Soinutresnak euskal herri musikan. Hernani: Orain.

Filmography

Filmación con Joseba Uribe Intxaurtieta. Bilbo, 02-01-1997. Localización: Soinuenea Irudi Artxiboa.