Chinese Bamboo Flute

• The dizi is an ancient instrument that has been popular in China for around 8,000 years. It is most commonly made of wood or bamboo, though they can also be made of other materials such as jade. The dizi has six holes as well as a special mokong hole, which is covered by a membrane called a "dimo." This covered hole gives the instrument a distinctive timbre. The flute sometimes has extra holes at the top, which can be used to hang decorative tassels. The dizi is much used to play Chinese folk and classical music and is also played at Chinese festivals.
  
  

The Indian Flute: Bansuri and Venu

• The flute has an important role in Indian music --- in the classical, folk or popular genres. The bansuri is a flute with six holes; it is often made of bamboo or reed. The instrument is associated with the music of northern India. While it was previously mostly used for folk music, it is now also used for other genres. The bansuri has an important religious significance within Indian culture as it is associated with the god Krishna.
  
  The vanu is another popular type of traditional Indian flute, used for playing in southern Indian styles. The vanu usually has eight holes.
  
  

The Pan Flute or Syrinx

• The Pan flute, also known as Syrinx, is a multi-piped flute which has been played in Greece for millennia. It was a common instrument in both Greek and Roman culture. According to Greek mythology, Syrinx was once the name of a nymph, who was pursued by the lustful god Pan. To escape him, she turned into a reed. When Pan sighed with regret, he noticed the musical sound of the air blowing into the reed and invented the Panpipes. Examples of the Syrinx from Roman times have also been found made of boxwood.
  
  

The Oja

• Among the numerous varieties of flute developed and played on the African subcontinent is the oja, a wooden flute played by the Igbo people of southern Nigeria. The flute is used to accompany religious ceremonies and dances; itis played either as part of an ensemble or for solo performances. Traditionally, the musician would compose oja melodies spontaneously in the course of a performance, drawing upon traditional themes, but it is now also played using sheet music --- for example in playing gospel songs.