One of the frequently asked questions about this instrument is how much does a pan flute cost? Read on for more details on pan flute cost.
Pan flutes are incredibly popular musical instruments today with a long and fascinating cultural history. There are many structural and material varieties of this instrument, with the general shape following the pattern of multiple attached pipes with differing lengths and girths to create different notes and pitches. This creates beautiful sounds and songs when musicians blow into the pipes.
Anyone can learn to play the pan flute with the proper tools, research and breathing endurance. When starting a new hobby with this instrument, it’s important to know the general costs associated with pan flutes and the varieties available on the market.
Cost of a pan flute
The cost of a pan flute can depend on the quality of the instrument, what it’s made of and the definitive style. Quality pan flutes often cost between a couple hundred of dollars up to more than a thousand or more depending on its significance in the market. This instrument is divided into two distinct families, including the straight and curved flutes.
The straight style is often harder to play but easier to make and is in traditional South American cultures. This style can be made of one of two rows of lightweight cane and can have anywhere from eight to more than 25 tubes. It’s always important to be watchful while shopping as this style can be sold more for looks than purpose as a souvenir or keepsake in South American shops. Always check the blowing edge to ensure it’s smooth and safe against the mouth. A straight style pan flute can often be found in local stores or as souvenirs and will cost around $10 to $50.
The curved style is stronger and can match the musician’s head movements, giving more comfortability and versatility during performances. The Romanian style is curved and is elegantly constructed but also costs more due to extra steps in the process to shape and treat the material, which requires additional skilled labor. This style can cost between $150 to thousands depending on the number of reeds and its material. Hard bamboo is a strong favorite of this style of flute.
What to know about pan flutes
The pan flute is named after a Greek god of the same name, who is in charge of nature and shepherds. In Greek mythology, Pan is a half goat, half human god who created the first pan flute out of a nymph who turned herself into reeds to escape from his ardor. Today, pan flute players build up their lung endurance and create beautiful sounds and notes around the world with this god’s namesake instrument.
When choosing a pan flute, it’s important to note that certain songs and tunes are more conducive to different styles. Knowing the predominant music the player will be using can help to choose the better style. Straight pipes are often more narrow with less variation in the tubes sizes. This leads to their unique windy low overtones.
South American tunes and music can often be played on the curved Romanian style but won’t play well the other way around. Traditionally, small pebbles or dried corn kernels are dropped inside the tubes of South American pan flutes to tune them. In the Romanian style, musicians use wax or corks that have to be added or removed with special tools.
Pan flutes can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, glass, bamboo and more. Each material has different benefits and drawbacks that should be considered before purchasing. Not every pan flute has a base, but having one often strengthens the instrument and allows the owner to better personalize it to their tastes. It’s not a required part of the instrument and many excellent flutes today don’t have one.
Recommended pan flute for beginners
Every interested player needs to begin somewhere. This 16-pipe beginner’s flute is perfect for new musicians who want to learn and practice with a quality instrument. This pipe is made out of durable resin and comes with a secure nylon bag with extra padding for safety.
The Vangoa brand pan flute comes with a manual and two ways to play so beginners can slowly adjust and learn at their own pace. The manual has basic instructions and tunes to practice before moving on to more challenging content and songs. Players also have the opportunity to either blow directly into the pan flute or use a long pipe that attaches to the pipe and can be blown into from a distance. Beginner players don’t have to worry about tuning the pan flute and can instead learn how to play and clean their new instrument comfortably.
Recommended book to learn pan flute
After picking up a great beginner’s pan flute, interested students can also grab this Complete Pan Flute Book to learn all about the history, uses and how to play like an expert. This guide was made in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Culture to allow students to have easy access to a comprehensive book of tips, proper breathing habits and more that can be difficult information to find outside of a professional teacher.
This guide allows every level of pan flute student to have access to correct and illustrative materials that can jumpstart a hobby or career in using this instrument. This book has over 200 pages of fascinating information and is available both digitally and in print. Pan flute students shouldn’t limit themselves to what they can find online and instead directly get their information from a professional teaching source that has limitless benefits.
Conclusion
Pan flutes are great instruments that can be played by anyone with an interest. By knowing how the instrument works and is constructed, beginner players can respect the pan flute’s past and cultural history when moving forward with training and learning how to play beautiful, lyrical music. It’s never too late to start a new instrument and impress friends and family with a wonderful, unique skill.