Jul 28, 2018
Instruments: Fula flute
The Fula flute, also called tambin, is the national instrument of the Fula people, one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa.
It is made from a conical vine, tapering inwards towards the end of the instrument. As can be seen in the photo above, it is usually played at a 45-degree angle. The embouchure is rectangular, and has two wings on either side.
While the range of the traditional Fula flute covers two and a half octaves, not all of these notes are actually playable. The upper fifth of the lowest octave is missing, disconnecting the lower register from the rest of the scale:
