Apple Using the GarageBand Jam Pack: World Music Instruments - Manual (Page 31)

31
The shakuhachi is a bamboo end-blown flute (the name refers to the size of the
instrument, although now instruments can be different sizes). The finger holes are
pitched to the notes of the pentatonic scale, but skillful players can bend notes and
partially cover the holes to produce additional notes and extend the instrument’s
range, and can blow into the mouthpiece at an angle to add inflection to notes.
Medieval Recorder
The recorder (called “Blockflöte” in Germany, “flûte à bec” in France, and “flauto dolce” in
Italy) is believed to have developed in the Medieval period from whistles and other
simple flutes. In the Renaissance, recorders of many different sizes were made and
played together in recorder ensembles as well as with other instruments. Further
developments in the Baroque period led to virtuoso players and a large repertoire of
solo music for the instrument.
The recorder is an end-blown flute with a range of around two octaves. Traditionally,
recorders are carved from wood, but today they can also be molded of plastic. There
are seven finger holes on the front of the instrument, and one hole on the back
stopped by the player’s thumb. Each instrument is pitched in a particular key, the most
common keys being C and F.