Quena

The quena (Quechua: qina, sometimes also written "kena" in English) is the traditional flute of the Andes. Usually made of totora or bone, it has 6 finger holes and one thumb hole, and is open on both ends or the bottom is half-closed (choked). To produce sound, the player closes the top end of the pipe with the flesh between his chin and lower lip, and blows a stream of air downward, along the axis of the pipe, over an elliptical notch cut into the end. It is normally in the key of G, with G being the lowest note (all holes covered). It produces a very "textured" and "dark" timbre, which is very unlike the tone of the Western Concert Flute.