The pan flute can be a hauntingly beautiful instrument. It can create sounds evocative of far-flung, dreamy mountain terrain. Or at least for me it does. The pan flute is a series of pipes of increasing length that come together to form one unit. As such a player is capable of playing many notes.
Pre-Columbian pan flutes in the Americas date as far back as 4,200 B.C.E. at Cahuachi and 3,200 B.C.E. at Chilca both in Peru. Constructed from a wide variety of materials, there is evidence of pan flutes as far north as modern-day Ontario.
Let’s look at some of the options available if you want to buy one of these enchanting ancient instruments.
 | 1. Editor’s Choice of Best Pan Flute – Peru Treasure Ethical and sustainably sourced bamboo in Peru. Lightweight and tunable to different keys. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 2. Best Budget Pan Flute – Percussion Plus PP863 Peruvian Pan Pipe A 13-pipe affordable, lightweight, and beginner-friendly model. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 3. Best Pan Flute For Beginners – Vangoa Pan Flute A 16-pipe made from eco-friendly ABS resin with a good tone. Comes with two playing options: a movable and a rigid mouthpiece. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 4. Best Left-Handed Pan Flute– MoonAngel G Key Chinese Musical Instrument One of the few lefthanded models available. Strong design with a classic appearance. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 5. Best Professional Pan Flute – MoonAngel 22/25 Pipes C Key Professional Pan Flute An extremely playable model available with either 22 or 25 pipes. Beautiful deep and rich color. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 6. Best Curved Pan Flute – Concert Series Pan Flute Easy to learn curved design. A diatonic scale with a simple appearance and is extremely portable. | Buy on Amazon |
The Best Pan Flutes Reviewed
Editor’s choice of Best Pan Flute – Peru Treasure
Our number one pick is the Peru Treasure, 15 pipe tunable pan flute. A perfect choice for ethical consumers. Peru Treasure’s instruments are hand-made in Peru with a design that pays homage to the Incan culture.
The smooth, soothing sound of this pan flute is made by a select few Peruvian artisans. They’re named Ramos, Chacon, Aymara, Lupaca, and Tito, according to the brand’s website. The instruments, fabricated from sustainable bamboo, have a look that matches the aesthetics of the sound.
Peru Treasures offers a curved instrument for ease of playing. There is a charming Incan-style carry case included. It weighs in at 3.2 ounces, with dimensions 7”x7.25”x9”. Its size makes a good choice for players of any size. It comes already tuned to the key of C.
This model is a perfect choice for consumers who want to ensure their purchases are sustainable and ethically sourced.
Pros:
- Ecologically and Sustainably sourced and constructed from quality bamboo.
- Tunable to different keys.
- Lightweight.
- Curved design makes it easier to reach notes.
- Comes with an Incan-inspired case.
- Suitable for beginners and more advanced players alike.
Cons:
- At 15 pipes, this model is smaller than others in the range. Be sure to familiarize yourself with its dimension before purchasing.
Best Budget Pan Flute – Percussion Plus PP863
The Percussion Plus PP863 Peruvian Pan Pipe is a good choice for those starting out in the world of music. It’s suited to children or beginners looking to dip their toes into the enchanting world of woodwind instruments.
This pan flute contains 13 pipes in a single row. It’s bound together with a gorgeous rainbow-colored woven band. This type of pipe, known as ‘antara’ in Peru. It’s lightweight, at 100grams and compact at 7.9’x7.9’x7.9’.
Pros:
- Affordable Price.
- Beginner-friendly.
- Lightweight.
- Bound with an attractive band
Cons:
- Only contains 13 notes
Best Pan Flute For Beginners – Vangoa Pan Flute
The Vangoa Pan flute is a 16 pipe quality instrument. A good beginner instrument shouldn’t sound like a toy. Beginners should have access to a satisfying tone that can keep them inspired. They shouldn’t be left wanting more, with a cheap-sounding toy.
The Vangoa, built from eco-friendly ABS resin is tuned to C. It’s a lightweight and portable instrument that comes with its own case. It provides the right compromise between sound/tonal range and sound. It should be enough to keep beginners curious for a while.
It comes with a rather unique feature; by offering two different ways of playing. The first is by a 16-piece fixed plastic mouthpiece and the other is a slideable, long mouthpiece. You could even experiment without any of these and play it the more traditional way.
The instrument weighs 343grams and comes in a sleek ivory color.
Pros:
- Good tone and breathy feel.
- Eco-friendly ABS resin construction.
- 16 pipes provide enough musical interest for those getting started.
- 2 – unique playing options; fixed mouthpiece or movable mouthpiece.
- Affordable price tag.
Cons:
- Plastic construction
- Some may find the mouthpiece options a bit clumsy and frustrating
Best Left-Handed Pan Flute – MoonAngel G Key
The MoonAngel is perfect for left handed players who want to explore their creativity with a solid and durable instrument. The MoonAngel lefthanded pan flute delivers on the golden trinity of craftsmanship, looks, and price.
Most pan flute makers don’t offer left handed versions, making this model unique in that regard. A sleek and streamlined appearance gives this instrument a real authentic look, and a sound to match. Made from bamboo, this MoonAngel pipe is curved to add ease of playing and add a classic touch.
Tuned to the key of F, this instrument comes with 18 pipes, with a lighter appearance than the 25 version on sale. A sturdy and robust design adds further strength to this instrument. Weighing only 15 ounces, the MoonAngel is both portable and durable, which allows peace of mind when on the go.
Pros:
- One of the few left handed models on the market.
- Classic light appearance.
- Durable build.
Cons:
- Only suited for lefthanded players
Best Professional Pan Flute – MoonAngel 22/25 Pipes C Key
The MoonAngel 22/25 Pipes C Key Professional Pan Flute is a stunning instrument. Made out of superb quality bamboo, you can choose either a 22 or 25 pipe model for either left or right hand players.
A a common instrument in China and could please either children or professionals alike. This is because the quality of the construction makes it spectacularly easy to play. Made out of bamboo, this pipe has a truly mesmerizing tone and a deep eye-catching finish that make it appealing on all aesthetic fronts.
This MoonAngel model is a touch heavier than the other models in this roundup. However, this adds to one of the model’s key selling points; its outstanding playability.
Pros:
- Professional quality
- Extremely playable.
- Beautiful deep rich-hue.
- Available in 22 or 25 pipe model, in either left or right-handed play.
- Comes with a leather case.
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than other models
Best Curved Pan Flute – Concert Series Pan Flute
The Concert Series pan flute offers a diatonic scale, from either A or E. The curved design affords impeccable tonal articulation and provides ease in moving around the pipes. As for the construction, the concert series is made from wood link so doesn’t quite provide the same depth and richness as some of the other models.
A solid build and a consistent appearance make this a decent choice of instrument. The curved design will prove helpful in learning your way around the pipes, making the concert series good for beginners.
A lightweight design makes this easy to transport with you wherever you’d like to play. Yet, be aware, some issues with quality control have come up, with some mentioning loosely aligned pipes.
Pros:
- Easy to learn and play on the curved design.
- Diatonic scale.
- Impeccable tonal articulation relative to the price.
- Clean appearance.
- Lightweight and easy to transport.
Cons:
- Woodlink construction doesn’t provide quite the richness and depth of tone as some other models do.
- There have been some issues with quality control.
Pan Flute Buying Guide
History Of The Pan Flute
There is evidence of a straight-formed Greek pan flute, known as the syrinx, from 2,500 BCE on the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea. The name ‘pan flute’ comes from the Greek god of nature and shepherds Pan, a half man-half goat creature.
In Greek mythology, Pan was the patron of shepherds. Pan fell in love with Syrinx the Nymph, daughter of Ladon the River god. Syrinx pleaded with Zeus to save him from Pan’s affections, resulting in her turning into river reeds. The enraged Pan destroyed the reeds, only to feel remorse afterward. Weeping and kissing the reeds, Pan discovered his breath could create beautiful sounds. He went on to create an instrument to carry on his lost loves name.
The pan flute developed amongst different peoples at different times around the world. Flutes are rudimentary instruments in their most basic form. Early humans foraged near bodies of water. Such habitats are a prime location for many hollow stemmed plants like bamboo, reeds, and river cane. These species are all perfect for creating flutes.
Choosing a Beginner Pan Flute
The pan flute is not particularly difficult to learn. Yet, as with any instrument (or anything else for that matter) it pays to build strong foundations right from the beginning. I recommended starting with a small pan flute no bigger than two octaves (13 – 15 pipes.) The most important thing you learn is how to get the right angle and tilt so you can reach those half notes. A smaller pan flute will afford better maneuverability for a beginner. Also, a bigger flute requires a larger lung capacity and control than a smaller flute. This is something you can aim to build up to with time. Rushing to a bigger pan flute too soon could leave you feeling lightheaded a dizzy if you’re not careful.
Starting, you want to make a musical mental map of what note each pipe plays. Having a larger pan flute will likely confuse you more than help. Double rowed pan flutes can also add confusion to the beginner so it’s best to steer clear of them if possible.
Curved or Not Curved?
A curved design is a useful ergonomic function that mimics the turn of the head as you move between notes. This can ease the learning process.
Which Tuning to Chose?
G Major is a popular tuning with the Romanian pan flute. C major is another common tuning you’re likely to come across. If you’re starting I’d recommend you buy a pre-tuned model as pan flutes can be tricky to tune for beginners.
Different Types Of Pan Flute
The flute is such a simple instrument that likely developed with different people at different times in antiquity. Thus there are many different kinds to choose from. Each has its own style, quirks, aesthetics, and tonal qualities.
Antara
The antara is one of the most recognizable pan flutes. Made from chuki or chajlla (Arundo donax) a reed that grows on the ‘eyebrow of the forest.’ The pipes are held together by one or two cane ties like a raft.
Siku
Related to the antara is the siku and the zampoña. They are made from bamboo and usually contain 13 curved bamboo pipes. They’re from the Andes Mountains and are usually played by the men of the villages. It’s the main instrument used in a genre of music known as sikuri. Traditionally found all across the Andes, they are most often associated with the Kollasuyo, or Aymara speaking regions around Lake Titicaca.
Because of the rugged and often inaccessible mountain terrain, different villages would develop their own sikus with unique tunings. Siku is split between two rows of pipes, requiring players to alternate rows to play a complete scale. Siku was traditionally played by two people by now it’s more common for one person to play it.
Nai
Nai is a versatile Romanian pan flute, usually made from reed or bamboo. Their versatility lies in their curved design which allows a wide spectrum of sound. Nai pipes often feature 22 pipes.
Paixiao
One of the oldest designs of pan flute originating in China. It was prominent during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE.) It may have been around much earlier as parts of these instruments have surfaced, dating from around the 6th century BCE. A prominent feature of the Paixiao flute are the 16 curved pipes. These are reputably inspired by the wings of the Fenghuang, a mythical bird known as the Chinese Phoenix in the West.
How They’re Made
Material
The pan flute was likely first made from river reeds. Nowadays, bamboo is the primary material, due to its prolific growth patterns and the strength and durability of its shaft. This means it can quite easily be fashioned into a set of pipes.
Giant cane or local reed, wood, metal, plastic, or ivory are now also used for the construction of pipes.
Left or Right Handed
Pan flutes suit either right or left handed players, though the latter is harder to find. A right handed pan flute will contain the lower notes (longer pipes) on the left side.
Sound Quality
A well-constructed pipe will produce a clear, vibrant, and haunting melody. It should be capable of producing chills. This will allow the voice of the pan flute to stand out amongst an ensemble. A poorly constructed pan flute will lack this clarity and produce a fuzzy and muffled tone with little articulation.
To Sum Up
The pan flute is an instrument capable of producing deep emotions in listeners through its flowing, airy melodies. Whilst it is a simple instrument, don’t let this fool you; there’s more to consider than you may first imagine.
With origins likely spread around the globe, the pan flute has taken on the different flavors and aromas of its places of origin. Yet it has always retained an ethereal quality. Nowadays they are most commonly made from bamboo due to its rapid growth rate, pliability, and availability.
Our overall pick is the Peru Treasure due to its clear tone, and ethical and sustainable production methods in Peru. Its curved design renders it easy to play and means it has a lot to offer beginning and more advanced players. It also comes with a beautiful Incan-inspired carry case, that reminds us of the importance this instrument had for this long-gone empire of the Andes.
Hopefully, after reading this article you will have a clearer idea about the pan flute. I hope to have shed some light on its disparate origins and what things to look out for when choosing your own instrument.
Last update on 2023-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
