Ron Korb Playing the Ba Wu

Asian Flutes

European Flutes

Flutes of the Americas

Flutes from Flute Traveller CD

Ron Korb Playing the
Shinobue Bamboo Flute

All these instruments with colour photos, sound samples with descriptions in English and French are included on the Ron Korb Live DVD.

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Bansuri

The North Indian bamboo flute has six to eight finger holes and can play up to three octaves. The glissandi characteristic in Indian music are produced by partially covering and uncovering the finger holes. This ancient flute has been around for thousands of years as a folk instrument but was not used in Indian classical music until the 20th century.

Bawu

This is a folk clarinet from the mountain people of Yu Nam in Southwest China. It is made from bamboo with the sound being produced by a single brass reed. It is used in solo and ensemble music and to accompany dance and singing.

Chinese Shun (Xun)

The shun is a clay ocarina shaped like a pear with the embouchure hole at the top. The sound is produced like a transverse flute by blowing across the embouchure hole. It has seven holes on the front and two thumb holes on the back.

Di Zi

The Chinese transverse bamboo flute dates as far back as 1122 BC. However, the characteristic reedy sound produced by a thin membrane vibrating between the mouthpiece and the first finger hole was not introduced until the Ming Dynasty a thousand years later. View fingering chart (pdf)

Hulu Si

The hulu si or gourd woodwind is a reed instrument from China with six holes in the front and one thumb hole. It has the ability to play a drone through the two auxiliary side shafts while playing a melody on the main pipe. These drones can be muted by inserting a stopper.

Kloy

The kloy is one of the most popular woodwinds in Cambodia and it is used in the various kinds of Khmer orchestras such as the Pin Peat, Mahori, and Bassac. It has eight holes and is made from a piece of bamboo with a fipple mouthpiece made of hardwood. This flute dates back to the 7th century and similar flutes are found throughout South East Asia.

Nohkan

The nohkan is used in ensemble with the kotsuzumi, otsuzumi, and taiko drums in Japanese Noh theatre. It is made from smoked bamboo called susudake. The bamboo is cut and reversed inside out in order for the hard external bamboo to be on the inside of the flute. This gives the sound more volume and clarity. Inside the nohkan is a metal cylinder which dramatically altars the normal acoustic relationships. For example, overblowing C on the nohkan produces D and F. On a regular flute you would produce C and G.

Pie Pook

This Cambodian instrument is a folk clarinet like the bawu. It is made from a single piece of bamboo with a metal reed fastened by wax. The musician has to put the top of the instrument in their mouth in order to play it. It has eight holes and can achieve one octave.

Ryuteki

The ryuteki, or dragon flute, is of Chinese origin and came to Japan via Korea during the Nara Period (710-794). It was said that its tone was like the cry of the dragon. The ryuteki is used in the ancient style of orchestral music known as Gagaku which is performed in the Imperial Court. The aesthetic of Gagaku with its slow even tempos is meant to be like the broad, majestic and graceful Yangtze river.

Shakuhachi

The Japanese shakuhachi is a flute open at both ends with four fingers holes on the front and one thumb hole. It is made from a single piece of bamboo taken below the roots, naturally forming the bell of the instrument. The mouthpiece is cut on a diagonal and the sound is created by blowing against this sharpened edge. Wandering beggar priest known as komuso played this instrument during the Edo period (1615 -1868 C.E)to solicit donations. A solo repertoire was developed, which is known as honkyoku, characterized by a wide variety of tonal colours, free rhythms and dramatic swells.

Sneng

The Cambodian Sneng is made from an Ox or water buffalo horn. There is a rectangular cutout on the side where a wooden reed is held in place by wax. A hole is drilled on the pointy end of the horn where the player controls the pitch. This instrument is used only as a solo instrument and because it is quite loud it was used as a calling device for hunting or signalling others while travelling through the jungle.

Shinobue

This thin bamboo transverse flute is often used in Japanese festival music, accompanied by drums and gongs and also in Kabuki Theatre. In a style known as nagauta, where the voice and shamisen provide the basic melody, the shinobue plays an obbligato. This instrument is available in twelve different sizes.
View fingering chart (pdf)

Suling

The suling is a bamboo flute found throughout Indonesia. The design and sound of this instrument varies from region to region. This instrument is used as part of the gamelan orchestra and also in conjunction with voice and a zither called the kacapi.