The Pan
Flute Store

• What is the difference between a left-handed and a right-handed pan flute?

A right-handed pan flute has the longer pipes at the right while a left-handed one has its pipes on the left (piano-like). The standard and traditional pan flute configuration is the right-handed one.

• What is the difference between a tunable and non-tunable pan flute?

A tunable pan flute has small corks in each pipe and holes in its shoe (the bottom of the pan flute). Those pan flutes also include tuning sticks that you can use to push the corks and adjust or change the configuration of your pan flute. For example, you can push a cork and change a F note to F#. This is useful because you can make your instrument more versatile and make sure that it is always tuned.* Some o f our pan flutes include tuning sticks with marks that indicate the correct position of the corks. Those marked tuning sticks are available only in selected pan flutes or by request, which includes an extra charge.

A non-tunable pan flute has no holes in its shoe (the bottom part of the flute). This means that it has a fixed tuning that cannot be adjusted or changed. A fixed tuning can be useful because the musician does not have to worry about adjusting it. Pan flutes do not get out of tune very easily, but with time and under certain temperatures that can happen. In the case that your fixed pan flutes gets out of tune, you will need the aid of a luthier to tune it with bees wax.

• The change in tune is limited by the length of the pipe. Often, you should be able to go up 2 to 3 notes and down 1 to 2 notes. 

• What is the difference between your South-American style and your other pan flutes?

South-American pan flutes have a different construction style. To begin with, these pan flutes are not glued together, but instead tied together. A horizontal piece of woods acts as an axis and pipes

 are tied to each other. Additionally, those pan flutes are made with a thinner variety of bamboo, reed. The sound of this bamboo is mellow and breathy. This construction type follows centuries of tradition and works particularly well for South-American music though musicians use it all around the globe for different genres.

The premium students and professional pan flutes I offer are constructed under industry standards and Romanian style. After going through a curation process, the pipes are carefully glued together, and glued to a wooden axis (for the premium student) or fixed into a shoe (for the professional one). Those flutes also use a thicker variety of bamboo with better durability and acoustics. The sound of this bamboo is mellow and resonant.

• Is it difficult to play the pan flute?

Learning to play the pan flute demands the same kind of effort and dedication as any other instrument. Even though I could not say that it is necessary difficult, I can say that it is not easy. I say “easy” in the sense that it is not an instrument that you will be able to master immediately and with little effort. 

Pan flutes might look like easy instruments to play because people assume that blowing the pipes does not require a technique. This is a mistake. Learning the proper embouchure (the position of your mouth and tongue) for playing the pipes takes practice. 

• What pan flute is right for me?

This question also does not have a right answer and it depends on other factors, such as musical range, if you are a professional or a beginner, if you have any physical limitations that requires a lighter pan flute. 

Range

As opposed to pianos, which are instruments that contain all musical notes, pan flutes can only contain a certain number of them. Those can vary from higher, mid, and lower pitches. For instance, an alto pan flute (22 pipes), starts from mid-tones and goes up to higher ones. On the contrary a tenor pan flute (25 pipes), covers mid to lower tones. Our premium beginner pan flute (15 pipes) contains mainly mid-tones. 

Expertise

I often recommend that beginners should start with mid-range pan flutes. The reason is that mid-range pan flutes are smaller in size, easier to maneuver, require less lung capacity, are less expensive, and because they contain a mid-range configuration of pipes, they are less challenging to play*. Experienced musicians might consider purchasing a pan flute with 20+ pipes for a more versatile playing experience. 

Physical limitations 

Certain health conditions might make it more difficult to play the pan flute. I will include certain considerations here based on previous customer experiences.

Arm or hand mobility: You might consider purchasing a smaller pan flute because they are lighter in weight. Some options would be our 15 pipes premium student pan flute or our 22 pipes professional alto pan flute.

Lung issues: You might consider purchasing a smaller pan flute because they have shorter pipes and, therefore, require less air when blowing.

Dizziness/Migraines: If you experience dizziness or migraine, blowing air into the pipes for sustained amounts of time could potentially exacerbate those symptoms.

* Lower tone pan flutes are longer and require more lung capacity to blow. On the other hand, high tone pan flutes have shorter pipes that require significant air control and a tighter embouchure.

• Where are these pan flutes made of?

Our pan premium student pan flutes and professional pan flutes are made of Amazonic Peruvian bamboo. This is a thick variety of bamboo with an excellent acoustic reverb while maintaining the sweetness characteristic of bamboo flutes. 

Our south-american style flutes are made of bamboo reed. This material has been used for centuries as part of the Peruvian and Bolivian musical traditions. It characterizes for a sharper, breathier sound. 

• Why do you offer different brands of pan flutes?

The main pan flute brand that I work with is my own: InkaTumi. However, I have been in this business for long enough to recognize and value the quality and style of major Peruvian luthiers and their brands, such as Q’awary, Ramos, Inkarimusik and Lupaca. Many of them offer designs, varieties, and configuration that I find could be valuable for my clients.

• Can you make a custom pan flute for me?

Yes, we can make custom pan flute. However, for custom products we ship from Peru.

• What kind of music I can play with a pan flute?

I had customers using pan flutes to play all kinds of music, from the most common, folk, classical, and pop to rock, reggae, and jazz. 

• Will my pan flute sound like the ones from certain video or music track?

Very often, pan flute players use a microphone configured with an echo effect that you will not get only by playing the pan flute. This effect would require an equalizer.

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What are my payment options?

We accept all major credit cards and Paypal

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It is secure to buy through this website?

We process payments through secure payment gateways (Paypal for direct payment and Stripe for all major credit cards). Both (Paypal and Stripe) are secure platforms that ensure buyer's protection. Please refer to these links for specific information:

Is Paypal safe for buyers? 

Stripe Dispute Resolution & Refunds

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping will be calculated at checkout before payment. You can add an item to the cart and use the checkout to find how much shipping would cost to your country for a determined product.

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Do you ship to my country?

YES! we ship WORLDWIDE from USA. Shipping costs and delivery times vary depending on your location.

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How long does shipping take?

We inspect the instruments before shipping, so your order will be shipped 1 day after payment. We work Monday through Friday except holidays. We are located in Stockton, CA, United States and shipping to the continental US usually takes less than 7 business days. For international orders please allow up to 20 business days for delivery depending on your location.

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If I buy from outside US, will I pay custom taxes?

Orders shipped outside of the United States might be subject to import taxes, customs duties, or fees levied by the destination country. The recipient of an international shipment might be subject to  import taxes, customs duties or fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches the recipient's country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be fulfilled by the buyer; We have no control over these charges, nor can we predict what they may be. 

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Can you write a lower value for my item and say it is a gift in the international customs form?

Yes, we will mark your order as a gift if you request it.

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Do you accept returns?

Yes, we accept returns within 14 days after the item is received by the customer. The item must be in perfect condition. We will issue a refund (Item value + initial shipping cost) or coordinate an exchange with you. We do not charge restocking fees. The shipping cost for returning the item must be fulfilled by the buyer. 

How can I return an item?

Please send us an email first and then send the item back to:

999 Porter av. apt. 33
Stockton CA 95219
United States

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Do you make custom orders?

Yes, we make custom orders. Please contact us with the characteristics of the instrument you want at panflutestore@gmail.com

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Why should I buy?

- We are a company that has been in the musical instruments business since 2008.

- Currently we are the most important woodwind musical instruments providers and manufacturers from South America.

- We offer permanent support in any question related to your instrument or the transaction.

- We are a specialized store, you can find specialized accessories to maintain and take care of your instrument.

- All of are products are made with selected materials from Peru.

- Our payment platforms are 100% secure which ensure buyer's safety.

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