Quena
The quena (Quechua: qina, sometimes also written "kena" in English) is the traditional flute of the Andes. Usually made of bamboo, it has 6 finger holes and one thumb hole and is open on both ends. To produce sound, the player closes the top end of the pipe with the flesh between his chin and lower lip, and blows a stream of air downward, along the axis of the pipe, over an elliptical notch cut into the end.
The Quenacho (also "kenacho" in English) is a larger, lower-toned version of the quena and made the same way.
Other flutes
Other Andean flutes include :
- The pinquillo, which is similar in look and operation to a recorder;
- The tarka (or tharqa), which also operates like a recorder but is comparatively shorter and quite angular in shape, requires greater breath, and has a darker, more penetrating sound;
- The moseño, a dual-tube bamboo flute that has a deep sound.