EncyclopediaTxepetxa, intxaurra, kaskamelan

This instrument is an indirectly struck idiophone.

Description of the instrument

It is a half of a walnut shell. It has a recess at one end. It has a toothpick attached with a twisted string, well taut, holding the stick against the walnut shell.

Way of playing

By pressing the stick down with a finger, it hits the shell when it returns to its initial position, thus producing the sound. With the necessary dexterity, all kinds of rhythms can be given to accompany the song.

History

These types of percussion instruments have been used in many places. We have known it in the Larraun valley in our childhood. In Bizkaia it is called txepetxa and in the navarrese Ribera kaskamelan (Beltran, 1996, 45-46).

WORKSHOP

After emptying a walnut, one half of the shell is taken and a small piece is removed at one end.

On top, along the , a stick is placed that is held with a thread, which is stretched against the shell.

Once the thread is tensioned, it can be played.

SOURCES

Bibliography

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

ETNIKER. (1993). Juegos infantiles en Vasconia. Etniker Euskalerria. Gasteiz: Eusko Jaurlaritza.