If you want to learn how to play the panpipes for beginners you have come to the right place. Panpipes, also known as pan flutes, are wind instruments that have been around for thousands of years. They consist of a series of tubes of varying lengths, which are typically made of bamboo or reed. The pan flute is a type of end-blown flute where sound is generated by air passing over an open hole at the end of a tube. The length of the tube dictates the fundamental frequency of the sound produced.
The tubes are bound together in a row, with the longest tube at one end and the shortest at the other. Playing the panpipes is a unique and rewarding experience, but it can be challenging for beginners. Throughout this panpipes course, you will discover tips to help you get started. You can refer to the written lesson modules below or if you'd prefer you can watch the interactive video.
How to play panpipes for Beginners (Video)
1. Getting to Know Your Panpipes
Before you start playing, take some time to get to know your instrument. How many notes does it have? Hold the panpipes with both hands, with the longer tubes to your left and the shorter tubes to your right.
2. Blowing position
The position for blowing the pipes should be relatively close as shown in the video above. You should be directly opposite the pipes and should avoid blowing them from a high position as it will note produce a clear tone. Doing this only works for creating sound effects and not for playing the instrument the correct way.
3. Proper Playing Technique
To play the panpipes, blow gently into a bamboo note in a similar way to how you would blow into a glass bottle. This will produce a sound. As you progress, you can adjust the angle of your lips to change the pitch.
It's important to maintain a good posture while playing the panpipes. Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed. This will help you breathe properly and produce a clear sound.
4. Identifying the notes
You can download a free tuner on your phone so that you can identify the notes. Open the tuning app and one at a time blow the note to identify the key. This is an important part of learning to play the instrument so that you can learn specific songs and their relative melodies.
5. Practicing Your Scales
Like any other instrument, the panpipes require practice to master. Start by practicing your scales. Begin with the lowest note and work your way up to the highest note, playing each note in between. Pay attention to your breathing and strive for a consistent sound. For a single row panpipe you would typically play left to right or right to left but for a double row you would need to alternate between rows up-down-up-down whilst continuing to play along the scale. This practice will allow you to become more comfortable with your panpipes, it will help you improve your blowing position, technique and will mean that you can identify notes faster. Over time you will train your ear to be able to identify the note by sound without having to refer to a tuning app and with daily practice you can experiment with different rhythms making up your own melodies and play your favourite songs.
6. Experimenting with Rhythms
Once you feel comfortable playing your scales, try experimenting with different rhythms. Start with simple patterns and gradually increase the complexity. You can also try playing along with your favorite songs to get a feel for different styles of music. Playing the panpipes can be deeply rewarding, but it takes time and patience to master. Remember to practice regularly and focus on your breathing and posture. With dedication and perseverance, you'll soon be playing beautiful music on your panpipes.
Online resources
Learning how to play the panpipes is easier with a visual experience as you will need to see and copy the technique. For that reason we recommend checking out YouTube videos on the many step by step lessons on how to hold the panpipes, how to blow into them, and how to produce different notes.
For beginners, it's recommended to start with easy covers and tutorials of popular songs like "Amazing Grace," "Titanic," "Tears in Heaven," and "Unchained Melody." These songs are simple and easy to play, making it easier to learn how to use the panpipes. This free course will be updated from time to time as we release new videos but for now if you are looking to play more upbeat music, you can search for covers or tutorials of pop songs like Abba's "Dancing Queen" or Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On." These songs will take a bit more practice, but with patience and dedication, you'll be able to play them effortlessly. A lot of other genres can also be played on the panpipes such as Christmas songs like "Jingle Bells", Disney songs such as the "Circle of Life", Love songs like "Eveything I Do (I Do It for You)", Pop songs such as "Camilla Cabello's Havana", and even Gospel songs! The flexibility of this instrument lets you explore a variety of musical genres and masterpieces.
Panpipes are not just limited to upbeat music. You can also play funeral music on the panpipes, such as "Danny Boy" or "Amazing Grace." These songs will require more practice and a slower pace, but they are beautiful and calming to play. Before you know it you will be playing popular music genres like gospel hymns, Christmas music, pop music, and rock songs.
