---
title: "Single roncón"
slug: single-roncon
definition: "Trait of the traditional Asturian gaita: it carries a single roncón —one low drone—. Models with several roncones come from Scottish influence."
synonyms: ["single drone", "single-drone gaita"]
publishedAt: 2026-06-17
---
The **single roncón** is a defining trait of the traditional **Asturian
gaita**: it carries a single roncón, that is, one low drone sounding
beneath the punteru's melody.

Gaitas with several roncones aren't traditional in Asturies: they come
from **Scottish influence**. When added, the second roncón sounds the
**fifth** and the third the **octave** relative to the main drone,
enriching the fixed harmony with a chord instead of a single note.

Worth clarifying because it's a frequent question: the traditional
Asturian gaita isn't a multi-drone bagpipe. Its historical build is
punteru, bag, blowpipe and **one** roncón; two- or three-drone models are
a later addition of Scottish root.