¡Amigo Folsom, Alias “Xuan el Gaiteiro”, “Xoan o Ghaiteiro”, “Xuanucu el Gaiteru”, etc…!
I´m pleased for talk with you. You was a model for me since I have start in this world.
I´m remember when I was 17 years old. I has bought my first Gaita in ebony, and I was very happy. I remember
to explore Internet and see the Oliver´s web site with your bagpipe-collection. I was saying then: “OOHHH, HOW MANY
BAGPIPES, AND HE PLAYS THEM ALL, I WANNA BE LIKE THIS MAN!!” 
))
Now life allow us talk in the distance about bagpipes 
I will answer your question, please write me if you can´t understand my Horrible English 
"Are there any examples of Vielhos Punteiros Galegos,
that have the small holes that are of the type found on the
upper hand finger holes of Asturian Gaitas ?
Or, were the finger holes larger on the Old Gaitas, than the holes on modern Chanters,
even those with Open (Abierto) Fingering ? "
I can´t answer this question with 100 % of precision, but I must say Asturian and Galician Chanters were quite similar: I have seen a lot of Galician Old Chanters and I can´t see the same small finger holes of the upper hand like the
Asturian Gaita, but I can see a constant in all Galician chanters: The holes are increasing their size from up to down.
The upper holes are small, and the size is increasing in the bottom holes. You can think this is the natural thing for get the correct sound,
but I must say it be considered like an aestetic thing: a Galician Carpenter who doesn´t know physic rules only can see a chanter with the upper small holes and the increasing size progress.
I have attached old galician chanter photos, so you can see this.
Also, the holes of the old gaitas were bigger than modern ones, like the inside diameter diameter. Modern bagpipes area funny toy in comparison
of old ones. Modern chanters have little holes, it helps in the chromatic notes, like the reduced inside diameter.
"I saw both of Alexanre’s Closed, and Open Chanters, and I didn’t
notice much difference in the size of the holes, on either of
the Chanters. Is there a difference in the size of the Reeds
between these two types of Chanters ? "
I will very happy if I can go to America for play once in mi life, but I have two problems: language (I´m very bad listening english directly) and airplaes (I´m not afraid for a normal
airplane, but you spend a lot of time in the air for go to America!). Anyway, I´m very interested to know the American Bagpipe society
Well, about the question: today we haven´t good chanters with closed fingering in Galicia. Why? For get a good tunning in a closed fingering chanter, you need
a considerable inside diameter. But when you order a closes fingering chanter, a contemporary maker uses the same measurements of a moder one with open fingering, and
only modify some holes and their diameter. The consecuence is a lot of problems for get a correct tunning in G,A and B notes (I always use adhesive
tape in these notes in my chanters). Old chanters plays well in closed fingerig because they have a correct inside diameter: you can´t play chromatic notes, you
can´t play second octave notes, but you can play a powerfull first octave with a beautifull tunning.
and without problems
But you know, my friend: all is submitted to the desire of the majority. And the majority players today, want to play with chromatic notes,
with second octave, with goretex bags, with ultra-mega-super synthetic drone reeds, with electronic tunners with magnetic sensors and fax/moddem and microwave, etc.
A lot of people see in the Gaita a thing for transform and they want to get a “Bohem flute with bag”. I prefer preserve the old sounds.
Closed fingering chanters and Open fingering chanters uses the same reeds, no difference. Old reeds were so different, sometimes smaller than the modern ones, sometimes
with a curious quadrangular form. Another curious thing: you can play open and closed fingering with an old chanter, but you will listen more harmonics with closed fingering (in modern chanters you will find the opposite)
“The sound now is softer, and not as “Robust” as the old sound of the
Gaitas, that I am familiar with.”
Believe me, my friend: if you play a chanter from XIX century, you will consider a 1970 chanter like a funny toy. The question of the transformation of the size
and diameter in Galician Chanter and drones is very interesting, and my conclusion is always the same: I must pay more for get “reconstruction” of
old chanters, because modern ones don´t be the thing I´m looking for. If I want a sweet voiced bagpipe and chromatic notes, I will order a
Northumbrian Smallpipes, but is a error try to transform the Galician Gaita: you can lost a lot of things in the way.
“How long has this process been happening in Galicia ?”
I think this process start when bagpipe plays with a clarinet together. Clarinet is a modern instrument with chromatic posibilities, and bagpipers want
to play like a clarinetist. Open Fingering was adopted, like the desire of use the second octave and the use of keys in chanters. These things imply an abusive, but gradual transformation of the rural instrument into a refined instrument. You can find
fully keyed Galician Chanters made in Cuba and Buenos Aires, very populars for play in Charangas.
I can see your Galician Bagpipe and I need to say this: you must try with a really good bagpipe with CLOSED FINGERGING (you can understand me,
I´m sure you have the same opinion: closed fingering is the proper technology for play a bagpipe in any part of the world, is the “natural recurse”
for play a continue-sound instrument) . Please try a good model from Anton Corral (he is still live, he is not dead! he makes my Bb bagpipe the past Christmas time)
or an old chanter reproduction of Anton Varela. You will be very very very happy if you could try my “1800” reproduction chanter with loud volume. I think
is the best chanter I have got. You can see the original chanter in this photo:
I can see your concert for kids with a lot of bagpipes and instruments. I´m very interested to see more of these things, I enjoy when I see you. Are you interested to
change bagpipe material, My friend? I can see a lot of interesting stuff for you
Best regards!
Luife
