Italy is known not only for its beautiful landscapes and excellent cuisine but also for a rich tradition of craftsmanship, including musical instrument making. There is a strong connection between music and this beautiful country.

The Italian tradition of handcrafted musical instrument production offers unique, unparalleled products: each artisan creates their instrument with skilled hands, often blending innovative creativity with ancient techniques passed down through generations.

Passion, dedication, and attention to detail are the key elements behind the production of Italian musical instruments, known for their distinctive and unique sound. For this reason, many professional musicians, both national and international, are fascinated by Italian instruments, especially those rooted in tradition.

This article will explore “Made in Italy” instruments from the Italian musical tradition, such as violins, bagpipes, guitars, pianos, and tambourines.

Italian Luthiery: String Instruments

The tradition of luthiery in Italy is ancient and one of the most renowned and appreciated worldwide, thanks to outstanding luthiers who gained international fame. Among them, we must mention two Italian excellences, Antonio Stradivari (also known as Antonius Stradivarius) and Andrea Amati. Through their celebrated production of string instruments, they made Italy one of the most prominent countries in this field. Even today, Italian luthiery continues to grow and improve, producing numerous instruments such as guitars, violas, violins, and mandolins.

Skill and expertise, especially in woodworking, are typical traits of Italian producers of handcrafted string instruments. These skills have been passed down for centuries. Great care is taken in selecting the materials, with spruce and rosewood being top choices. This attention to detail makes Italian string instruments some of the finest and most high-quality in the world, establishing them as a true excellence. Italian luthiery is appreciated for the harmonious beauty of its instruments and their superior sound quality.

Most producers in the luthiery sector are located in Cremona, home to over 200 artisan workshops. It’s no coincidence that both Amati and Stradivari hailed from this town.

Cremona is also home to one of the most prestigious and renowned luthiery schools, the International School “A. Stradivari”, where new generations of students learn, among other things, the ancient tradition of Cremonese luthiers.

To understand the importance of Cremonese string instrument tradition, consider that “Cremona’s Violin Craftsmanship” has been included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Beyond Cremona, small luthiery businesses can also be found in other parts of Italy, such as Genoa, Rome, Florence, and Naples.

The Piano in Italy

The piano is a typical string instrument that produces sound through hammers activated by a keyboard and three pedals.

The first piano model (often called fortepiano at the time) was designed in Italy in 1698 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, a Padua native serving at the court of Cosimo III de’ Medici in Florence. His innovation involved applying a hammer mechanism to a harpsichord, making the instrument more controllable by its player. In 1739, Domenico del Mela, a student of Cristofori, developed the first upright piano. The innovation soon spread beyond Italy.

The Italian tradition of piano making is particularly tied to the Fazioli company, founded by Paolo Fazioli in 1981 in Sacile, Pordenone province. The founder’s mission has always been to preserve the Italian tradition in piano production. Fazioli’s instruments, handcrafted and custom-made, are highly valued for their exceptional quality, both in Italy and abroad.

Percussion Instruments in Italian Tradition

Typical of Italian folklore, percussion instruments have been handcrafted since the Middle Ages. Among the oldest are the drum and its smaller version, the tambourine. Both are crafted by artisans who pass down their secrets from generation to generation, using natural materials such as calf or goat skin.

Thanks to numerous local musical groups, these instruments are still widely used and appreciated today. During “La Notte della Taranta” in Salento, thousands of people enjoy performances by many local folk groups. Their music is heavily based on the strong, decisive sound of the tambourine, exemplified by genres such as tammuriata, taranta, pizzica, and tarantella.

Wind and Aerophone Instruments in Italian Tradition

Many internationally renowned musicians choose Italian handcrafted wind instruments for their performances before thousands of people. These instruments have ancient origins; today, artisans still produce them using traditional techniques, ensuring their uniqueness and inimitability. Technological innovation and ongoing research continuously enhance the sound quality and materials used, all while preserving the artisanal tradition.

Among the wind instruments emblematic of Italian folk tradition are flutes, clarinets, ocarinas, and harmonicas. Harmonicas are particularly favored for their versatility, suitable for any musical genre, from classical to popular. Flutes and clarinets are highly valued for the precision of their sound, which can range from soft to more virtuosic. The ocarina, with its elongated oval shape, is made of terracotta, wood, or metal. Simple to use, it’s often played by amateur enthusiasts. This tradition continues in Budrio, Bologna province, where children learn to play it. Budrio also hosts a museum and festival dedicated to the ocarina.

Another significant wind instrument in Italian tradition is the zampogna, commonly associated with the southern regions. Often linked to Christmas, it produces traditional carols and is made with a bag of sheep or goat leather containing pipes that the zampognari blow to create sound.

A festival held in Scapoli, Isernia province, during the last week of July celebrates the zampogna, drawing many people curious about this unique instrument. The tradition continues thanks to Scapoli’s museum and various associations dedicated to the zampogna.

Accordions and Italian Tradition

Among the gems of Italian musical instrument production are accordions, beloved for their versatile sound, suitable for styles ranging from folk to classical.

Italian accordions have a long-standing tradition, especially in the Marche region, specifically in the provinces of Recanati, Osimo, and Castelfidardo. Legend has it that Paolo Soprani, a farmer’s son, perfected a pilgrim’s Austrian accordion, leading to the invention of the first prototype in 1863. Its success spread abroad after a triumph at the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition.

The Marche accordion is a “Made in Italy” excellence, handcrafted using high-quality materials. For this reason, it is a niche product, increasingly exported worldwide.

Besides the Marche accordions, those from Stradella, Pavia province, also gained fame, with the first model invented in 1871 by Mariano Dallapè.

Italy and Musical Instruments: Tradition Meets Innovation

The Italian tradition of handcrafted musical instrument production is continually evolving. Today, some instruments are crafted using technology. CNC milling and 3D printing are technological innovations gaining traction in the musical sector, particularly in the production of small instrument parts, blending traditional elements with modern technologies.

Many manufacturers are also experimenting with new materials for their creations, such as resin, which makes instruments lighter yet more durable. In recent years, greater attention has been given to environmental sustainability. As a result, recycled materials are often used to build musical instruments, even those rooted in tradition.

In short, tradition and innovation, despite being distant concepts, are increasingly interconnected, especially to facilitate the production of musical instruments.