Bansuri
An Indian bamboo transverse flute without a mouthpiece, with six or seven finger holes.
What it means
The bansuri is a transverse flute made of bamboo with one closed and one open end, lacking a separate mouthpiece. It usually has six or seven finger holes and is built in various lengths, with the fundamental pitch depending on the tube's length. Semitones are produced not by keys but by partially covering the holes or changing the blowing angle.
Musical use
The bansuri is a central melody instrument in North Indian classical and folk music. It is especially suited to glissandi and the fine pitch ornaments (shruti) central to Indian music. Musicians such as Hariprasad Chaurasia have contributed greatly to its international recognition, including through collaborations with Western musicians.
In Hindu tradition, the bansuri is an attribute of the god Krishna, often depicted in painting and dance-theater playing the flute among cowherd girls (gopis). Pictorial evidence reaches back to antiquity, including reliefs at the Sanchi Stupa and cave paintings at Ajanta.
Performance practice
Practice your embouchure and blowing angle first, since the bansuri has no fipple or mouthpiece and tone production depends heavily on lip position. Work on smooth glissando transitions between notes rather than articulating each note in isolation.