Italian Piffero

The piffero is a traditional Italian double-reed instrument of the oboe family with a conical bore, descended from the medieval shawm. It is primarily associated with folk music in the mountain regions of northern Italy, particularly the Quattro Province area spanning parts of Alessandria, Genoa, Piacenza, and Pavia, as well as various traditions throughout southern Italy. The double reed is mounted on a conical metal staple set within a pirouette, a construction shared with certain Eastern and ancient Mediterranean instruments and unique in the Italian folk tradition. The piffero is well suited for outdoor performance, where its assertive, penetrating tone carries well in open air. It is often played alongside the zampogna in traditional Italian ensemble contexts.

This example is made of a hardwood (type unknown) and employs a large double reed. Tone is loud and assertive, as expected of a shawm-family instrument.