In the past in rural areas the shepherds played on their own so they did not need to tune their instruments or practise.
Town musicians generally play in groups, wear uniforms and are in tune with each other. In order to play with other
instruments a fobiol in the key of 'C' is now being played widely. Standard tunes are played without harmonies.

21st century pipes

The instrument was traditionally only played by men but by the 21st century more women were playing in public.
Another recent change is that this tradition, originating in, (or preserved in), the rural centre of the island is being
taken to the towns around the coast to be seen by tourists. There are now schools offering courses in traditional
dances and instruments. Songs associated with agricultural tasks are usually sung a capella except for shepherds’
tunes, which are often played on a fobiol or xeremia. 

More information on traditional Majorcan instruments here

1336-1361 manuscript

The flabiol and tambori traditionally accompany local folk dances. For example on 16th August annually a group
of dancers accompanied by flabiolaires dance through the town of Alaró, ending up dancing inside the church.

folk dancing video. Ball dels Cossiers was first recorded in 1554.

before 1900 page 173

Both of these instruments are essential ingredients whenever Mallorcans gather for traditional celebrations
of many kinds and events including local festivals and processions. A xeremier (bagpiper) and a flaviolaire,
together are called a colla . As the flabiol is pitched higher than the xeremia, it is an effective complement
to the latter. The xeremia can play only legato notes: the flabiol makes for greater melodic and rhythmic
variety and definition. [audio here (video, after 2.00mins)]

In the late 1960s and early 1970s  both instruments began to recover from a long-term decline.  In the 1990s,
the Mallorcan Music and Dance Federation began to promote xeremia courses and both instruments have
now become more popular.

Many more images of the pipe and tabor with bagpipe in Majorca here

1939 (page 174)