pan flute, often called panpipes, is a wind instrument in which a number
of pipes of varying lengths are fastened side by side. They are closed at
one end, with no holes. There are no reeds, so the sound is produced by blowing
across the open ends.
The ancient Greek herdsmen used panpipes made of
cane. They are named after the Greek god of herdsmen "Pan", although
the ancients called this instrument the syrinx.
instruments, made of all kinds of different materials, are found in the folk and
traditional cultures of peoples all over the world. The pan flute has a
very breathy, evocative sound. It is not used in the modern orchestra, but is
very popular in ethnic and folk music.