Saltarello felix

Today the most used instrument to play the numerous musical Saltarello’s themes is the diatonic accordion (sometimes replaced by the accordion or more rarely by the violin). The propagation of this instrument originated from the Sanctuary of Loreto (Marche); in the second half of XVII century it was used by ballad-singers and only later was it preferred by local Saltarello players. During the first World War the regional musical repertoires (Saltarello included) spread throughout Italy. Nowadays, in the villages of the Apennines, during particular summer musical events, diatonic accordion players (even very young ones) play while people dance freely.

However, in the past the bagpipe was the best instrument for playing the passages of the Saltarello, as it provided a tonal accompaniment with the drones and polyphonic melodies with the "ciaramelle" (also called "piffera" and "singing piffera"). In pastoral societies the archaic melodies of the Saltarello were played with small reed bagpipes, olive wood “ciaramelle”, double flutes, “cifolitti” and “fraoli” (reed, bone, horn), “fiaùti” and “tituelle” (ephemeral instruments). These instruments, identical to those used in ancient times, were realized for playing specific melodies; this leads us to believe that the Saltarello played with these archaic instrument scould be similar to those played in the past. In some villages of the Apennines you still find memories or rare examples of Saltarello danced among men or singly, without the specific behavioral codes that apply to man-woman couples dancing.

While the bagpipes were commonly used in the countryside to play melodies and to dance, in Rome the Saltarello was accompanied by the " calascione", a 6 stringed instrument similar to a lute. This instrument, which nowadays has all but disappeared, had a bulging case and harsh sound and was played with a plectrum or plucked with fingers.
From time immemorial, the Saltarello’s rhythm has been produced using a tambourine played with special virtuosity, sometimes rested on the player’s chest. It is made of a wooden ring with a variable diameter (between 20 and 50 cm) with a skin stretched over it. Small cimbali are inserted in the wooden part of the tambourine adding a characteristic tinkling to the sound of the percussions. It is played by hitting the stretched skin with the right hand finger tips, while the instrument is held and moved with the left hand in time to the music. While once primarily played by women, today it is played by skilled percussionists who show technical ability and endurance during their performances.