Brand NEW Professional Series QUENA FLUTE Guaranteed or your money back.
This is a classic Andean quena the iconic end-blown notched flute from the Andes mountains, primarily associated with traditional Peruvian, Bolivian, and Ecuadorian folk music.
Key Physical Features
Tuning & Scale: G major (Sol mayor). Lowest note is G4 (all holes covered). It plays a diatonic major scale: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G (and extends into the second and sometimes third octave). This is the most common and popular key for quenas - compact, bright, and versatile for Andean melodies.
Holes: Standard configuration - 6 finger holes on the front and 1 thumb hole on the back. The holes allow for diatonic playing in G major, with some chromatic possibilities through half-holing or cross-fingering.
Ends: Fully open at both ends (though some quenas have a partially "choked" or semi-closed bottom for tonal adjustment; this one matches the traditional open design).
Material & Appearance: Made from black hardwood. Hardwood construction produces a "hard tone" - clearer, more focused, projective, and direct compared to softer bamboo versions, with strong projection, a bright yet textured timbre, and good durability.
Construction: Typically features a U- or V-shaped notch/embouchure at the top for blowing. Length around 40 cm (about 16 inches). Bore is relatively narrow for its length (often 16 mm internal diameter), contributing to its distinctive dark, breathy, "textured" or "hoarse" quality reminiscent of the human voice or wind over the Altiplano.
Sound & Playability
Tone: "Hard" tone means responsive and powerful - loud, clear, with strong low frequencies and good articulation. It has a rich, sad, slightly breathy timbre that carries well outdoors or in ensembles with charango, guitar, or bombo. Easier to control than some traditional bamboo quenas, especially in the second octave.
Range: Primarily two octaves (with extensions possible), ideal for folk tunes, meditative pieces, or contemporary fusions.
Playing Technique: Hold vertically. Cover the top end partially with your lower lip/chin and blow across the notch. Finger placement is usually left hand on top (3 fingers + thumb) or adjustable 3-3-1 / 4-2-1 styles.
You can play the 3 octaves perfectly, I have linked a video for these Quena flutes to have a better idea of the quality instrument.
Short video demostration in You Tube, please copy/paste the link.