Simple Wind Instruments
Wind instuments are the oldest musical instruments known, dating back thousands of years. The first wind instruments were of a simple design carved from bone in the shape of a tube; when air was blown into it, the vibration created sound. Some simple wind instruments include the flute, recorder, pungi and didgeridoo.
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Flute
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The first real flute was made of bone 5,000 years ago and resembled a recorder. Sideways flutes have been known to date back to the time of the ancient Egyptians, when they were made of wood. Today, professional flutes are made of silver, gold or nickel-plated silver. Flutes are used in every culture due to their vast range and melodic sounds.
Didgeridoo
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The didgeridoo is an original instrument made and played by the North Australian Aborigines. Didgeridoos are simple wind instruments made from a branch of the eucalyptus tree. They can vary in length and width, depending on the branches used to make them. The outer bark of the tree is removed, the inside is cleaned out and the surface of the didgeridoo is painted in Aboriginal style. A didgeridoo makes a droning sound when played.
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Snake Charmer Flute or Pungi
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Pungi wind instrument. A pungi is a simple wind instrument from India. It is made of 2 bamboo tubes, one for the melody and one for the drone, encased in a gourd or coconut which has 2 reeds inside that vibrate when air is passed over them. Pungis are still in use today in India.
Recorder
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A recorder is a simple wind instrument and is the precursor to the flute. It was very popular in the Middle Ages, around the 16th and 17th centuries. It was later replaced by the flute, which has more range. Today, the recorder is a popular instrument with school children, because of its ease in learning, portability, and low cost.
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References
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