MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF LATIN AMERICA / MUSIC 10 / QUARTER 2 / AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC / POPULAR MUSIC

Latin America's diverse cultures led to a variety of wind and percussion instruments. Some instruments were considered holy, and playing them incorrectly was seen as offensive to the gods. The discussion covers instruments from Aztec, Mayan, Incan, and Andean cultures.

These instruments originated from the Aztec Empire and Mayan civilization in Southern Mexico and Northern Central America. The Tlapitzalli is a wind instrument (aerophone), a clay flute decorated with abstract designs or deities, as demonstrated in a video.

The Teponaztli is a percussion instrument (idiophone), a Mexican slit drum hollowed from hardwood, often fire-hardened. It features designs of human figures or animals and was used for both religious and recreational purposes.

The Conk or Concha is a wind instrument (aerophone) made from a large seashell. A hole is cut near its apex, and it's blown like a trumpet. Conch shell trumpets were used by Aztecs to coordinate attacks during war ceremonies.

The Rasp is a hand percussion instrument (idiophone) that produces sound by scraping a notched stick with another, creating rattling effects.

The Huehuetl is a membranophone, a Mexican upright tubular drum used by Aztecs. Made of wood with an open bottom and three legs, its stretched membrane (deer, coyote, ocelot, or jaguar skin) is beaten by hand or a wooden mallet.

Aztec whistles are wind instruments (aerophones) often made from animal bones, like the eagle bone, producing high-pitched notes similar to an eagle's cry. They are also known as death whistles.

Incan instruments come from the Inca civilization (1400-1533 CE), centered in Peru. The Ocarina is an ancient vessel flute (aerophone) made of clay or ceramic, with four to twelve finger holes and a projecting mouthpiece.

Pan pipes, or Zamponia, feature bamboo tubes of different lengths tied together to produce graduated pitches. These ancient instruments are tuned to various scalar varieties and are played by blowing across the tube tops.

Andean instruments originate from the indigenous Andean civilization in Peru's coastal river valleys. The Siku is a wind instrument (aerophone) made from bamboo tubes, but also from condor feather bone or other materials. It's a side-blown cane flute played year-round.

Quenas are vertical duct flutes with a recorder-like mouthpiece, primarily used during the rainy season.

Pinkillos are vertical cane flutes with an end-notch, made from fragile bamboo, and are used during the dry season.

The Charango is a string instrument (chordophone), similar in size to a ukulele and a smaller version of a mandolin. It imitates early Spanish guitars and flutes, produces bright sounds, and is often used for serenades in Southern Peru.