Professional Bamboo Ebony Quena in G by Angel Sampedro -Un Mundo de Bambu
- 4 circumference sizes available: Small less than 0.7 inches, Medium (0.7-0.75 inches), Large with tube circumference more than 0.75 inches, and Extra Large at least with 0.8 inches.
- Small size ideal for beginners and those who want to achieve octaves with ease. Large circumference quena ideal for robust players who desire more sonority and modulation.
- Mouthpiece made of Ebony hardwood inlay and cut at angle to allow best airflow.
- Lacquered to protect instrument.
- Precise tuning (440 Hz).
- VIDEOS (see bottom of page) and SOUND SAMPLES
This quena is handcrafted using the best bamboo (Pleioblastus simonii) and Ebony. It is tuned using Tune!It software to guarantee professional sound. The mouthpiece is cut at an angle to allow for the best acoustics. This quena flute has an internal circumference of approximately 0.65 to 0.75 inches in order to obtain greater sonority for lower notes. Its mouthpiece is made of Ebony, a very hard wood, which allows for best airflow.
Flute maker: Angel Sampedro del Rio lives in Argentina and has been making bamboo instruments since 1985. Angel has been a member and secretary of the Argentine Association of Instrument Makers and has won numerous awards. Throughout his career he has participated in a number of expos and has written articles and collaborated in acoustic instrument research.
How is this quena tuned? Quenas meant for professional use are tuned up at a "saturated blowing point, " that is, just before switching to the second octave. The reason is that if I tune them at a lower blowing point, a professional quena player could play it and say it's out of tune. An out-of-tune quena can't be fixed or fixing it is complex, while a quena that feels somewhat low can be corrected with practice. Now, it's worth noting that this isn't a defect in the quena; the same thing happens to metal flutes, not to mention the shakuhachi. It's most probable that when you start playing you get a "low" tuning, that is, a quena pitch that is a bit low. This depends on your embouchure (how you place your lips and blow the quena), and you usually solve this by opening the embouchure. You would try to move the "U" and the edge of the mouthpiece away from your lips. At that position, the instrument has the right body and volume. It is also possible to tune it up by blowing faster. This doesn't mean you blow out more air, but blowing at a greater speed. Both of these things can take several days to master.