Bansuri (Flute)
In India flute is called as 'Bansuri'. The bansuri is associated with the Hindu God Krishna, who is often depicted playing it. Bansuri, is a transverse flute made of a single piece of bamboo and has seven holes. All half notes, accidentals and microtones are produced by a unique fingering technique.
Sizes of Bansuris are ranging from sub-piccolo all the way to mega-alto flute equivalents. Usually, concert instruments play a tonic note, this tonic note is taken with three finger holes covered at around D-sharp or E-natural. A flute with an E-natural tonic is a whole-step higher than an orchestral alto flute. Bansuri Players require a large amount good practice to attain proper grip of fingers and stretch out hands for good control. Bansuri is a keyless instrument. The instrument recommended for How to Play the Bansuri is pitched at a tonic of C-natural (sounding on the third space of the treble clef). This is a very conservative choice and a comfortable size for any player, even a child aged ten to twelve. Any size of bansuri may be used to work through the material of the book. However, the C-natural instrument will work best because the examples on the accompanying tape are played on this size instrument. Therefore the student with a C-natural instrument will be able to avoid a possibly disconcerting mismatch of pitch. Additionally, since some of the exercises are provided in staff notation, these will sound at pitch when played on this instrument.
To play six hole Bansuri, the index finger, middle finger and fourth fingers of both hands are usually used. For the seven hole bansuri, the fifth finger, pinky of the right hand is used for the last hole. The resonance in the air column inside Bansuri produces sound in it. The length of this column can be varied by closing or opening the holes. At the same time, keeping a hole half-open helps in getting a flat note. The 'sa' from the Indian saptak scale is obtained by covering the top three holes from the mouth-hole. The embouchure is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the mouthpiece of a wind instrument. By changing this embouchure higher and lower octaves are played. For better control flat portion of fingers are used to cover the holes and so playing the half-holes becomes easy. The seating posture is also important. The back is not strained for long hours. Bansuris of different sizes are used to play different octaves. For lower octaves longer bansuris with larger bore and the slimmer ones for higher octaves are used.