The Song of the Magic Flute: The Legend of Nuvia and the Native Flute

 

Long ago, in the lands of Native Americans, there was a legend of Nuvia, a young woman belonging to the Lakota tribe. Nuvia was known in her community for her love and skill in playing the native flute, an instrument that connects the spirit to nature and the spiritual world.

The legend tells that Nuvia, from an early age, displayed an innate gift for music. Her flute, crafted from cedarwood and adorned with sacred symbols of her tribe, resonated in a special way. People of the tribe said that her music had the power to heal broken hearts and calm storms in the soul.

One day, as Nuvia played her flute deep in the forest, a mysterious white wolf approached her. This wolf, with eyes that seemed to reflect the sparkle of the stars, appeared to communicate with Nuvia through its gaze. Intrigued, Nuvia continued to play her flute, and the white wolf began to dance to the rhythm of her music.

 

The dance of the white wolf was so hypnotic that Nuvia couldn't stop but keep playing, and together they created a magical harmony that resonated throughout the region. The legend says that as Nuvia played, the plants bloomed, the rivers flowed with greater force, and the animals joined in the dance of the wolf.

After hours of music and dance, the white wolf finally stopped and looked at Nuvia with gratitude in its eyes. Then, it slowly retreated into the forest and vanished.

The Lakota tribe regarded this encounter as a sign that Nuvia had been blessed by the spirits and gifted with the power of music to heal and unite people and nature.

From that day on, Nuvia continued to play her native flute, sharing her music with her tribe and beyond. She became a spiritual healer and a guardian of the harmony between humanity and nature.

The legend of Nuvia and the native flute reminds us of the deep connection between music, the spirit, and the world around us. The native flute, often used in sacred ceremonies and rituals, is considered an instrument that can bring peace, healing, and unity to those who play and listen to it.

This legend invites us to appreciate the beauty and magic of native flute music, reminding us that through music, we can connect with the divine and find peace in our hearts, just as Nuvia did in that magical dance with the white wolf in the heart of the forest.

THE CHARANGO

 

The charango is a stringed musical instrument typical of South America, especially in countries like Bolivia, Peru, and parts of Argentina and Chile. Its origin dates back to the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. It is believed that the charango is an adaptation of pre-existing indigenous instruments, influenced by the arrival of the Spaniards and their guitars.

 The name "charango" comes from the Quechua word "ch'arango" or "charangu," which refers to a type of small guitar. Over the centuries, the charango has evolved and diversified into different regional variants with unique characteristics. It is known for its small body and distinctive bright and high-pitched sound, making it popular in the folk music of the Andean region.

The charango is an essential musical instrument in traditional Andean music, and its history is closely tied to the indigenous culture of the region. Over the years, it has been used in a variety of musical genres, from folk music to contemporary music.

The body of the charango is traditionally made from the shell of an armadillo, although nowadays other materials such as wood or plastic are also used. Currently some countries prohibit the use of armadillo shell for the manufacture of the charango.The strings are made from nylon or animal gut, and the instrument is played using a technique of strumming and fingerpicking.

 

In Andean music, the charango is used to accompany songs and melodies, often in musical ensembles known as "charango groups." Its distinctive sound adds a unique character to Andean music and has been widely embraced throughout Latin America.

Furthermore, the charango has gained international recognition and has been used in various musical fusions, blending elements of traditional Andean music with other genres such as rock and jazz. Its versatility and uniqueness have made it an instrument cherished by both traditional musicians and those looking to experiment with new musical forms.

In summary, the charango is a musical instrument with a rich cultural history in the Andean region of South America and has left a lasting imprint on the continent's music.

IIn the video: Successful Peruvian singer-songwriter: Gianmarco singing and playing his charango.

 

 

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.

 

 

QUENA FINGERINGS - QUENA FINGER CHART

The position of the fingers in the Quena (Andean flute) varies according to the note on which the quena has been made.

The position of the fingers with all the holes covered is that the name to the quena. In other words, a quena in G, it sounds in G with all the holes covered. Similarly, a quena in F sounds in F with all the holes covered. So on.

 

 Quena in G major - Relative E minor:

 

 

 

 

Quena in F major - Relative D minor :

 

Quena in D major - Relative B minor :

 

 Quena in C major - Relative A minor :

Quena in B major - Relative G-sharp minor :  

 

Black Professional Lupaca Pan Flute 24 Pipes Burnt Bamboo

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This a professional panflute 24 pipes comes tuned in C major (Do mayor) 440Hz.
This panflute is tunable.

You can choice for left hand or right hand.

Brand: Lupaca.
It is tuned in G+ (Sol +) 440Hz.
Tunable as other key as well
Number of pipes: 24.
Skill Level: Professional Tunable.

Measures:
Long pipe: 15 inches (38 cms)aprox.
Short pipe: 2.9 inches (7.5 cms) aprox.
Weight: 1.65 pounds (750 gramos) aprox.

Material:
Pipes from Burnt Bamboo,
Base: Stronge devil wood.

Case included

 

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