The organological system of pre-Hispanic flutes

Abstract

Our understanding of pre-Hispanic music is closely linked to our understanding of its organology. Based on extensive research into sound tools in South America, certain considerations will offer a new perspective on the topic as a whole. These considerations add a new layer of complexity to our understanding of pre-Hispanic sound design, which is reflected in the systematic organisation of musical instruments on the continent. I will use the ‘antara’ type of flute as an example to illus­trate some of these developments. ‘Antara’ is one of the organological categories of Andean pan­pipes. I will describe three systems used to modify the sound of the antara: the double flute, the complex tube, the palq’a tube and the collective flute, which is designed to drastically increase its complexity.