---
title: "Roncón"
slug: roncon-drone
type: concept
definition: "The drone pipe of the Asturian gaita. It produces a single continuous low tone that accompanies the punteru's melody, one or two octaves below."
synonyms: ["drone", "gaita drone"]
publishedAt: 2026-06-17
---
The **roncón** is the long pipe that rests on the gaitero's shoulder and
produces the drone: a single low note, sustained, that doesn't change
while the **Asturian gaita** sounds.

It works as a fixed harmonic base. The punteru's melody moves above it;
the roncón stays put. That continuous note is what gives the gaita —and
other European bag-and-pipe instruments— its characteristic sound without
silences.

The traditional Asturian gaita carries a single roncón, unlike other
bagpipes that add intermediate drones.