Matófono
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The matófono or galleta is a traditional mirliton-type musical instrument from Argentina and Uruguay. It consists of a gourd used for mate, split into two halves and held together with thread[1] or a piece of leather attached as a mouthpiece.
Origin
[edit]Its origin presumably dates back to indigenous cultures of the Río de la Plata region, and it was historically known as "galleta" by the gauchos of the area.[citation needed]
Popularization by Les Luthiers
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The galleta was recreated in the 1960s by the Buenos Aires luthier Carlos Iraldi for the comedic informal instrument ensemble Les Luthiers and renamed yerbomatófono d’amore or simply yerbomatófono.[2][3] This instrument was made from mate gourds cut in half, sanded, and reassembled, with an opening for the player's lips. The sound is amplified and distorted in a unique way, with a timbre that varies based on the pressure applied.
The matófono adds a sound to the voice reminiscent of a muted trumpet or the sympathetic resonance of a drum's bass string.[citation needed] Unlike the kazoo, which has a similar timbre, the matófono requires one hand to hold it, whereas the kazoo can be played while using both hands for another instrument.
References
[edit]- ^ "Centro de Fotografía de Montevideo". cdf.montevideo.gub.uy. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ "Los Luthiers de la Web, 2001. Instrumentos informales" [Les Luthiers Web, 2001. Informal instruments]. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Los Luthiers de la Web, 2001. Álbum de fotos. Yerbomatófono d'amore" [Les Luthiers Web, 2001. Photo album. Yerbomatófono d'amore]. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
External links
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