Flute

Question 1

What type of instrument is a flute and who is always associated with it?

Answer 1

• Wind
• Sri Krishna

Question 2

What can flutes be made out of and what material is considered the best?

Answer 2

• Bamboo, Smallwood, bronze, ebony, silver and gold
• Bamboo is best

Question 3

Details about body of flute:

Answer 3

• Cylindrical tube of bamboo closed at one end
• Clean and smooth, not too thick/thin
• Length = 14 in, Cross-section = About 3/4 in
• Larger cross-section, thinner tone
• Longer flute, lower the pitch
• Tube is dried in shade for a yr before boring the holes

Question 4

Mouth hole of flute:

Answer 4

• Called Mukharandhram
• Distance of about 3/4 in from closed end (should be about diameter of tube)

Question 5

Finger holes of flute:

Answer 5

• 8 uniform holes
• Size is slightly less than that of mouth hole
• Tararandhram = First finger hole closest to mouth hole, giving highest pitch

Question 6

Method of playing:

Answer 6

• Held horizontally with slight inclination downwards
• 2 thumbs hold it in position, whereas 3 fingers of LH + 4 fingers of RH used for holes
• Edge of mouth hole should touch centre of lower lip
• Index, middle + ring finger of LH = First, second, third finger holes
• Index, middle, ring + pinky of RH = Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh finger holes
• Blow stream of air obliquely into opp edge of mouth hole
• Pitch varies by changing length of air column by closing/opening finger holes

Question 7

In what ways are the flute and the human voice similar?

Answer 7

• Both are monophonous
• Allow singing/playing up to 2.5 octaves