OVERVIEW
The quena is the most famous Andean aerophone. The standard quena has a 15.5-inch average length and is tuned in the G Major scale. Quenas, however, can be tuned in whatever key, with the lowest and the highest ones being respectively known as quenachos and quenalis (or quenillas).
Our quenas consist of a bamboo body and a hardwood mouthpiece. Tapered and slightly domed at once, the matchless geometry of the bamboo cane preserves the timbre of the vernacular quenas. The hardwood mouthpiece, in turn, endows the instruments with a quicker response and a louder and clearer sound, in addition to acting as a barrier against wear and tear.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Materials Bamboo body - hardwood mouthpiece
• Number of finger holes 7 (6 frontal + 1 thumb)
• Range 2 octaves and a Major 6th/7th
• Notch shape U (By default; square or V-shaped notches can be crafted to order depending on the key)
• Offset fingerholes Left hand above - Right hand below (By default; inverted to order)
• Set Each item is supplied with a cloth pouch, a fingering chart, and a maintenance leaflet.
OFFSET FINGER HOLES
There are two ways of fingering the quena, namely 3-3-1 and 4-2-1. On the quenas, quenachos, and quenalis that we regularly produce, you will be able to apply whichever of them, but only if you place your left hand above and your right hand below. If you do the opposite, however, just let us know so we can make the instruments customized as you need.
3-3-1
4-2-1
CHINREST
We can add a chinrest to the widest quenachos in D Major and Eb Major (highly recommended). By reducing the open area of the upper end, the chinrest ensures steady control over the embouchure and enhances the lowest notes of the instrument.
