Description
Pictish Cajon (Scotland): Features
Instrument with structure in solid Fir, back face and tapa (Front) in Birch plywood. The careful selection of solid Fir wood for the structure and the use of Birch plywood (used in different thickness) for tapa and back face, gives life to a traditional cajon gifted with a pure sound difficult to equal: with low, deep, soft and surrounding bass sounds, high sensitivity at low frequencies but rich in tonal shades, wide range of defined and differentiated sounds, powerful and modular voice, large volume of emission for an optimum dynamic management. In addition to the renowned sound qualities, the structural properties of wood and selected materials combined with building characteristics guarantee solidity, resistance and a good preservation over time.
The Cajon model Traditional does not have any internal or external device that alternate or change the natural sound of the percussion. The instrument's sound in its most essential and ancient version are warm, defined and primitive, widely different depending on the part of tapa or body to beat, from the low and deep frequencies of the central bass drum sound to the various and acute responses of the highest parts of the structure.
The instinctivity of the approach to the instrument and its virtuosic potential, make the Cajon suitable both for the beginner or percussion amateur and for the professional; as well as being a good alternative to a drum set or more bulky percussions (not only for buskers but also more formal contexts), the Cajon is an instrument with a great personality, able, in right hands, to create complex and engaging rhythmic expressions.
Decoration
Pyrographic engravings that decorate the tapa are of Pictish derivation: there is reproduced in fact one of the symbols most frequently attested on "Pictish stones" imposing monumental stelae found in Scotland, witnesses of Pictish popolation and culture, dating between VI and IX centuries. Although the original meaning of the symbol reproduced, the double disc Z rod, and other symbols is unknown to us, there have been put forward hypotheses and interpretations related to the most common meanings of duality between opposite elements, including the sun and moon, Earth and Sky, microcosm and macrocosm.
