Rondador

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Rondador The rondador, the national musical instrument of Ecuador, is similar in construction to the cane antara and siku. This instrument has a single row of pipes arranged pentatonically, interlaced from major to minor: Each note is followed by its lower third, making it possible to play a melody in parallel thirds. To this end, the player must blow air in two adjacent pipes simultaneously. Many musicians are accustomed to playing the rondador and the bombo at the same time, while the ensemble of musicians, usually five or more in number, dances to the music. This instrument is the most typical and representative of the Andean people of Ecuador and parts of Northen Perú. San Juanito is the most well known rhythm associated with this instrument. Today, the rondador is available in a variety of tunings. For its construction, the thinnest bamboo canes are selected to produce instruments with a soft sound. At the time of the Inkas, feathers from the wing of the condor were also used to give such instruments a magical aura and a ritualistic character.