Bansuri North Indian Transverse Bamboo Flute
ADVERTISEMENT
1
2
3
4• Bansuri
(North Indian transverse bamboo flute)
[ picture of bansuri ]
Description
The Bansuri is a transverse bamboo flute with 6 finger holes plus one hole for blowing. It is closed at
the end closest to the blowing hole. Its fingered holes are large enough to permit half (or partial) holing, thus
facilitating the playing of all ragas (modes) on one bansuri. It is very agile and, due to the open holed/unkeyed
nature of its construction, all manner of glissandi and microtonal ornaments are possible.
Bansuris - Sizes and Pitches
(from highest/shortest to lowest/longest)
* Tonic
Key
Piano Pitch
Approx.Length
F
C
C52
14"
E
B
B51
15"
Eb (or D#)
Bb (or A#)
A#50
16"
D
A
A49
17"
Db (or C#)
G#
G#48
18"
C
G
G47
19"
B
F#
F#46
20"
Bb (or A#)
F
F45
21"
A
E
E44
22"
Ab (or G#)
D#
D#43
23"
G
D
D42
24"
Gb (or F#)
C#
C#41
25"
F (bass)
C
C40 (middle c)
26"
E (bass)
B
B39
27"
Eb (or D#) bass
A#
A#38
28"
D (bass)
A
A37
29"
C (bass)
G
G35
30" (very rare, and difficult to play)
* The tonic of the bansuri is the note sounded when 3 finger holes are closed. All 6 holes closed (the pipe note)
determines the key. The same flute may be referred to by either its tonic or key.
Naming
We will call a Bansuri by its pipe note, ie. the note which is rendered when all 6 holes are closed.
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Life