Frequently asked questions

List of frequently asked questions

• Does Tever give gaita lessons?

  Yes, I give gaita asturiana lessons. I teach in person and online, in synchronous (live) or asynchronous (recorded material) format, and I work with both beginners and advanced players.

  Beginners start with the practice flute and fingering, move into the fol, and build toward playing real traditional pieces. Advanced players work on what specifically needs work — technique, repertoire, composition, whatever the actual gap is.

  To book a lesson, write to me at Contact.

• How can I book Tever for a performance?

  To book me, write via Contact and tell me the date, location, and type of event. The more detail you include upfront, the quicker I can give you a clear answer.

  I work in several formats: the traditional pair of gaita and drum, full band, and the lecture-concert — where I play and explain the music as we go. Each format fits different contexts, from village festivals to institutional events, theatre stages to private celebrations.

• How is the Asturian gaita tuned?

  The Asturian gaita is named by the reference note of its punteru. The most common tunings are C (Do), B-flat (Si bemol) and D (Re), and each one changes the timbre and the repertoire. I explain how to choose and how to tune it in Tuning the Asturian gaita.

• How many drones does the traditional Asturian gaita have?

  The traditional Asturian gaita has a single roncón, that is, one low drone beneath the punteru’s melody. Models with two or three roncones are not traditional in Asturies: they come from Scottish influence. I go into it in the glossary, under Single roncón.

• Is it hard to start playing the gaita asturiana?

  Starting to play the Asturian gaita is accessible if you go in with a method. The most demanding part at the beginning is sustaining the air from the fol at constant pressure while coordinating the punteru’s fingering. I guide you step by step in How to start playing the Asturian gaita.

• What are the differences between the Asturian gaita and the Galician gaita?

  The Asturian gaita and the Galician gaita belong to the same family of bagpipes with a bag, but they differ in tuning, repertoire, timbre and technique: each has a sound identity of its own. I compare the two in detail in Asturian gaita vs. Galician gaita.

• What formats does Tever perform in?

  I play in several formats: the traditional one (gaita and drum, roots repertoire), the lecture-concert (I play and explain), gaita with piano and gaita with a pop-rock band. Tradition and contemporary production coexist without picking sides. You can hear samples at Music.

• What is the Asturian gaita?

  The Asturian gaita is the most representative bagpipe in the traditional music of Asturies. It has four parts: soplete, fol, punteru and roncón. I tell the whole story in What is the Asturian gaita?.

• Where can I listen to Tever?

  You can listen on Spotify and YouTube. My EP Suañu de Gaita (2021) collects my original compositions for gaita asturiana — that’s the best starting point if you want to hear what I do.

  I gather all platform links at Música.

• Who is Tever Díaz García?

  I’m Tever Díaz García, a professional Asturian gaitero, composer and teacher. I play the Asturian gaita from Asturies, I teach how to play it and I publish my own work: my EP Suañu de Gaita came out in 2021. You’ll find my full biography in About me.