Editing Music of Spain (section)

===Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia===
{{main article|Music of Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias}}

[[File:Al son de la gaita.jpg|thumb|left|150px|upright|Asturian gaiteros (bagpipe players)]]

Northwest Spain ([[Asturias]], Galicia and [[Cantabria]]) is home to a distinct musical tradition extending back into the Middle Ages. The signature instrument of the region is the [[gaita (bagpipe)|gaita]] ([[bagpipe]]). The gaita is often accompanied by a [[snare drum]], called the [[tamboril (percussion)|tamboril]], and is played in processional marches. Other instruments include the [[requinta]], a kind of [[Fife (musical instrument)|fife]], as well as [[harp]]s, [[fiddles]], [[rebec]] and ''zanfona'' ([[hurdy-gurdy]]). The music itself runs the gamut from uptempo [[muiñeira]]s to stately marches. As in the Basque Country, [[Cantabria]]n music also features intricate arch and stick dances but the [[tabor pipe]] does not play as an important role as it does in Basque music. Traditionally, Galician music included a type of chanting song known as [[alalas]]. Alalas may include instrumental interludes, and were believed to have a very long history, based on legends.

There are local festivals of which [[Ortigueira]]'s ''Festival Internacional do Mundo Celta'' is especially important. Drum and bagpipe couples range among the most beloved kinds of Galician music, that also includes popular bands like [[Milladoiro]]. ''Pandereteiras'' are traditional groups of women that play tambourines and sing - bands like [[Tanxugueiras]] are directly influenced by this tradition.  The bagpipe virtuosos [[Carlos Núñez Muñoz|Carlos Núñez]] and [[Susana Seivane]] are especially popular performers.

[[Asturias]] is also home to popular musicians such as José Ángel [[Hevia]] (bagpiper) and the group [[Llan de cubel]]. Circular dances using a 6/8 tambourine rhythm are a hallmark of this area. Vocal [[asturianada]]s show melismatic ornamentations similar to those of other parts of the Iberian Peninsula. There are many festivals, such as "Folixa na Primavera" (April, in [[Mieres, Asturias|Mieres]]), "Intercelticu d'[[Avilés]]" (Interceltic festival of [[Avilés]], in July), as well as many "[[Celtic music|Celtic]] nights" in Asturias.