Q&A for How to Play the Panpipe or Pan Flute

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Question

What is the cheapest price I could get one for?

Community Answer

You can get one for as cheap as $7. However, when buying any instrument, it is usually not wise to buy the cheapest one. You get what you pay for.

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Question

How do I breathe?

Community Answer

While circular breathing is possible, you will ordinarily breathe periodically. The trick with flutes is to not use so much air that you become hyper ventilated (dizzy). Get the most from the air by adjusting your lips to minimize wasted air.

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Question

What kind of oil should I use to cure the pipes?

Community Answer

I use a very light olive oil, slightly warmed, to swab out the tubes. I use a long cloth-tipped wand. I don't use cotton swabs, because that might leave residue fibers. After the flute dries, it is good to play, or put away.

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Question

Can a pan flute be played with high notes to the right, like a harmonica?

Community Answer

Yes, but you will need to have a left hand pan flute. It has the longer tubes on the left side, which are the lower notes.

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Question

I can't get more than a very low volume on mine. Why?

Community Answer

Try to focus your air stream, make your embouchure smaller, and blow more directly into the hole.

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Question

After trying to blow into a pan flute for a short while, I become a little dizzy. Why? How do I change my breathing to avoid this?

Community Answer

When you first start playing any woodwind instrument, you may experience dizziness or become light-headed as your body adjusts to the change in your breathing patterns. The more you play, the easier it gets. Just keep practicing. If you're in band or taking lessons, ask this instructor to watch you play and see if they have any tips for you.

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Question

When buying musical pan pipes are they tuned or does the buyer need to tune them, using beeswax?

Community Answer

It depends, some are tuned by the maker and some are not, the description will tell you.

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Question

Can I buy pipes that have a reversed order of scale, making the high notes on the right hand?

Community Answer

Yes, you can! I have one of each. A right hand instrument has the low notes on the right side, so for this question you would want the short tubes on your left.

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Question

Do I need more than one pan flute to play?

Community Answer

No, it doesn’t require more than one flute. it’s easier to use just one but if you have more you can teach it to your friends!

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Question

I bought an 18-hole pan flute, but the user manual is in Chinese. Do you know where I can get a user manual in English?

Community Answer

The "Complete pan flute book" is very nice. But it assumes that you already know a bit of solfege.

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Question

How many pipes does a pan flute need? How do I play one that doesn't play a full scale?

Community Answer

You can have has many pipes that you want. Keep in mind that the more you have, the harder and heavier the pan flute gets. But the possibility get bigger. Having at least three octaves will permit you to play just about anything. For lower pipe count you may what to look if bending some pipe will give you more note. Especially if you have a pentatonic panpipe of 5 tubes. Harmonics may give you more tone.

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Question

How do I play legato notes a step apart on a panpipe or pan flute?

Community Answer

You may just blow one continuous stream of air for the adjoining pipe. For the other, practice a lot to make a quick jump and use a softer attack "Some talk about G, I experiment with fu". You must give each notes a full value. A legato by bending the same pipe 2 or 3 times may also be possible.

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Question

if two notes are only a step away from each other, could a legato be placed between between them?

Community Answer

Yes, and this is the only time that a "true" legato can be played on pan flute.

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Question

How do I know if I have a pan flute or pipe?

Community Answer

A pan pipe has serveral tube of varying lengths and they are closed at one end. Some pan flutes are open at both ends. Search online for images of each, that'll help you.

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Question

Are pan pipes chromatic?

David Coulombe

Community Answer

There is chromatic pan pipe. But you can have a chromatic playing onto a diatonic pan flute. The tone will get softer though.

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Question

One of my pipes doesnt let out a sound unless I blow really hard and at a very awkward angle, is there a way to fix this?

David Coulombe

Community Answer

Try to seal the tube with your lips and suck all the air inside. If you remark than you cannot build a pressure your pipe is probably leaking. Bee wax or propolis or varnish may fix it.

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