Throughout our year, we have enjoyed learning about many different instruments around the world. While spending time with Lainie, she introduced us to a local artist and musician, Sabino. He makes instruments for his career, such as guitars and flutes. He also teaches music classes with traditional Peruvian instruments. We were able to participate in a class to learn how to make our own pan flutes. This was the first time any of us have actually made an instrument, so it was a really neat experience.
Pan flutes are believed to have been invented in Peru, but these types of flutes have also been found in other countries like Greece, Italy, and China. The early Incan civilizations would have built their villages close to a river where there were reeds, so they would be able to get them for their instruments. The flutes started as just a single reed and then more were added to play more notes.
We made two sets of flutes, one with 7 bamboo sticks and the other with 6 sticks. The sticks had been previously cut to the right size and tested to make sure the pitch was correct. The shorter bamboo sticks make higher sounds and the longer ones make a lower sound. We tied the sticks to a piece of thin wood with string to keep them together. The two sets of flutes are held together instead of being tied. Fun fact: the bottom of the sticks are covered. I always thought they were entirely hollow, but now I know what it actually looks like.
This reminded me of the Ca Tru performance we watched in Vietnam. Both used traditional instruments and the musicians are very talented. I am definitely going to be practicing songs on my pan flute so I can improve.
The workshop also reminded me of all the Backstreet Academy classes we participated. It is really neat to be taught by local experts who love their crafts and want to share their knowledge with others. Lucky for us, Miro is fluent in Spanish and was our interpreter.
I had a lot of fun participating in this class and I can’t wait to be able to play different songs. I have recently started working on ” Seven Nation Army“. Wish me luck!
Leave a Reply