Bansuri

The bansuri is a bamboo flute from India and considered one of the oldest known musical instruments. Bansuris are hand-crafted from a single piece of bamboo, with seven skillfully positioned holes. All half notes, accidentals, and microtones on this transverse style flute are produced by a unique fingering system. To obtain the proper tones, a flute player must cover the finger holes of an Indian bansuri (either fully or half-way) by using only the phalanxes of the fingers; not the fingertips. This specific technique also helps to simplify the playing of longer bansuris. The various size bansuri flutes will produce beautiful and rich tones, although they may sound slightly "out of tune" to the Western ear. Banjira brand bansuri flutes are available in "Deluxe" and "Professional" models, with the pro versions made from only one type of bamboo, called cinchor. These quality bansuris come at very affordable prices, too.