Quenacho - Quenacho Style Flute - Bamboo & Mahogany

The Quena is an ancient tubular flute, native to South America, especially used among the Ecuadorian, Chilean, Peruvian, Mexican, Bolivian, and Northern Argentine indigenous peoples. Its origin is depicted in existing paintings and drawings made by peoples who inhabited, between 200 BC and 600 AD, the cities of Nazca and Chimu, in Peru; where the instrument was originally made from llama bones — a typical animal — its earliest examples were made from condor bones, stone, or clay, materials later replaced by bamboo and wood. Its range covers the Pentatonic Scale (composed of five notes), used by the ancient Inca people. The name “Quena” arose as a result of the modification of the word in the Quechua language: “Kkénakkéna”, “Kjena” and “Khoanna”, when translated into Spanish; it is also known as Qina. The Incas had the custom of placing flutes and wheat rods, used in the making of reeds, beside the dead in their tombs, as the use of this instrument was related to rituals of fertility, life, and resurrection. The discovery of these sarcophagi led, for some time, to the belief among specialists and historians that they were deceased musicians; it was later proven that such deposits were related to amulets of life.

It is a vertical, simple flute, open at both ends; it has an oblique mouthpiece and its device, located at the upper part, is formed by a “cut”, in the shape of the letter “V”, or straight; that is, a simple notch called “Mosca” or “Chanfle”, where the player’s mouth is adjusted so that the breath produces the sound effect; therefore it is also known as Flauta de Mosca (Fly Flute), in addition to other names that vary depending on the language and place where it is found. As for its measurements, they vary between 15 and 120 cm, and the number of sound holes varies according to the type. The most common Quena, with six holes on the front, one on the back, and tuned in G, is used as a solo instrument. (CERQUEIRA FILHO, Ilton José de. História da Flauta) The quenacho is a larger quena, with a lower sound, generally tuned in D (D4) or C (C4).