The 5 Basic Quenas for Professional Wind Musicians: Exploring the Tonalities

 

The quena, an ancestral wind instrument that emanates captivating melodies, has been a cornerstone of Andean music for centuries. Its versatility, beauty, and ability to convey deep emotions make it an essential instrument for professional musicians. In this article, we will explore the 5 basic quenas that every professional wind musician should have in their repertoire, highlighting the tonalities and nuances that each one brings to their music. 

1. Quenacho in C Major

The quenacho in C Major is a fundamental choice for the professional musician. Its tonality allows for the interpretation of songs in D minor and A minor, making it the perfect option for musical pieces with a melancholic, smooth, and relaxing tone. Its deep sound adds a unique richness and depth to compositions. 

2. Quenacho in D Major

The quenacho in D Major is another essential component in the wind musician's repertoire. Although its sound is slightly higher than the quenacho in C Major, it still brings a unique depth to compositions. With the ability to play songs in E minor and B minor, this instrument is perfect for pieces that require a this range of tonalities.

3. Quena in F Major

The quena in F Major is the ideal choice when seeking softer and more delicate sounds. This tonality allows for the interpretation of songs in G minor and D minor, offering a more delicate option for playing melodies that require a special touch. It is perfect for pieces that aim for a soft and emotive nuance. 

4. Quena in G Major: The Favorite and Most Versatile

The quena in G Major is undoubtedly the most commonly used by professional wind musicians. Its versatility allows for playing songs in A minor and E minor naturally, and with skill, it is possible to obtain tonalities in B minor and D minor. The choice of this tonality is essential to accommodate the key in which the singer is performing, making it a crucial element in any musical ensemble. 

5. Quena in A Major: Perfect for Specific Tonalties

Last but not least, the quena in A Major is essential for playing in tonalities such as B minor and F# minor. In certain regions, such as Ecuador, it is widely used to interpret san juanito in B minor, as well as in the Peruvian huayno. This quena is indispensable for preserving the authenticity of specific musical traditions. 

In summary, the choice of quenas for a professional wind musician is a crucial decision. Each tonality offers unique nuances and depth to the music, and the combination of these quenas in the repertoire allows for a versatile and moving performance. An experienced musician knows that they don't just play the quena but also immerse themselves in the essence of each tonality, conveying emotions and stories through music. Each quena is a brush in the hands of an artist, and the choice of these five basic tonalities is essential for painting an exceptional musical canvas.

FREQUENCY IN MUSIC, 432hz, 440hz and more.

 

The 432 Hz frequency is a specific value used in tuning musical instruments and is an alternative to the standard 440 Hz tuning. The 432 Hz frequency is considered a more "natural" or "harmonic" tuning by some people, and has gained some popularity in music and esoteric culture.

The standard 440 Hz tuning is used in most Western music and is supported by music standards organizations such as the ISO. However, proponents of tuning at 432 Hz argue that this frequency has properties that make it more harmonious and connected to nature.

It is important to note that the choice between 432 Hz and 440 Hz is largely subjective and cultural. There is no solid scientific consensus that conclusively supports the superiority of one over the other in terms of musical quality. The preference for one tuning or another depends on the personal taste and individual beliefs of the musicians and listeners.

In addition to the 432 Hz and 440 Hz frequencies, there are other frequencies used in music, and these can vary depending on musical context, culture, and genre. Here are some notable frequencies used in music:

Concert A440: The standard tuning of 440 Hz is the value used to tune the note A4 (A4) on the equal temperament scale. This frequency acts as a reference point for tuning other instruments and orchestras around the world.

Alternate Tunings: In addition to 432 Hz and 440 Hz, some musicians and composers experiment with alternative tunings to achieve specific sounds and effects. For example, musician David Bowie used to tune his guitar half a step lower, at approximately 415 Hz, to achieve a unique sound in some of his songs.

Specific frequencies for musical genres: In some musical genres, such as electronic music, specific frequencies are used to create characteristic sounds and effects. Synthesizers and samplers can manipulate frequencies to generate different tones and textures.

Microtones: In microtonal music, frequencies that are not found in the standard equal temperament scale are used. This allows exploration of intermediate sounds that cannot be reproduced on a 12-tone scale. Microtonal frequencies can vary widely depending on the musical composition.

Harmonic frequencies: Some musicians experiment with the relationship of frequencies to create particular harmonies. Harmonic frequencies are based on multiples of a fundamental frequency and are used in music to create interesting chords and harmonic progressions.

Ultimately, choosing a tuning frequency or using specific frequencies in music depends on the style, creative intent, and preferences of the musician or composer. Music is a very versatile art, and frequencies play a crucial role in creating sounds and emotions that resonate with listeners around the world.

 

 

How musical instruments were tuned in the Inca culture

 

 

The Inca culture, which flourished in ancient Peru from about the 15th century until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, had its own musical and tuning practices. Although we do not have detailed records of how they precisely tuned their instruments, we can infer some things about their music and tuning based on the information available about their instruments and musical traditions. 

 

The Incas used a variety of musical instruments, some of which included: 

1. **Quenas**: As I mentioned previously in another article, quenas are wind instruments from the flute family that were played by blowing air through them. The tuning of the Inca quenas could vary, but they were generally adapted to the pentatonic scale, which consists of five notes and is common in many musical cultures around the world.

 

2. **Drums and percussion**: The Incas also used drums and other percussion instruments. The tuning of these instruments may vary depending on their construction and specific purpose. Hand drums, for example, were tuned by hitting different areas of the drum surface to obtain different pitches. 

 

3. **String instruments**: The Incas did not know string musical instruments until Spanish colonization. When they discovered the guitar, they modified it until they obtained the "charango", a type of small string guitar, similar to the lute. The tuning of these instruments was probably based on specific scales and varied depending on the music to be performed. 

 

 

 

4. **Ceremonies and rituals**: Music in Inca culture played a fundamental role in religious ceremonies and rituals. In these cases, the tuning could have been related to spiritual and symbolic aspects of the music, rather than a specific tuning in terms of Hertzian frequencies. In summary, although we do not have exact tuning in hertz like that used in contemporary Western music, we know that Inca music was based on specific scales and modes, and that instruments were tuned according to their musical and cultural traditions. Inca music played an important role in the life of this ancient civilization, both religiously and socially, and followed musical patterns and structures specific to their time and culture.