This is a 13 pipe pan flute you can play in your browser. This instrument has pitch range of over two octaves from C5, A6 and it’s tuned to C major.
To play, simply tap or click on each pipe with your finger or mouse. Alternatively, for more traditional approach you could plays using your computer keyboard too. The interface couldn’t be simpler, allowing you to jump straight into making some music without any setup required.
How to Play the Pan Flute
As you play, the pipes is ordered in size. From left to right, the lower pitches are at one end, while the higher pitches are towards the other end. This reflects how actual pipes work as well: longer ones produce a lower pitch whereas shorter ones creates the higher ones. You know which note each pipe is because it’s labelled accordingly.
Small details in Raft hold it together and make experience feel real. Tap on a pipe with your finger (or mouse on touch screen) to hear it playing. As long as you maintain the pressure, the note sounds on. It’s like controlling the breath of an actual performer.
Running your finger over more than one pipe at once is also possible. It produces a nice run and doesn’t require you to lift until you’re ready to stop. This can be used to copy that sliding sound we associate with pan flute.
If your device supports multi-touch then you can play multiple notes at once. If you’re playing a keyboard it’s useful to know that the letters and numbers corresponds to the keys of the keyboard. Starting from the lowest note, the keys numbered one through zero are played on bottom row. The keys J, K, and L handles the highest three notes. It is possible to hold down more than one key to play chords but in general, they’re better left as a single line of melody. On the instrument itself there is a map showing how the keys relate to numbers and letter names.
There are several controls that enable you to adjust sound and make it work how you want to play. The Play scale button will run through all thirteen pipes one after another. This helps you get a good idea of range this instrument covers.
The Andes melody button will play a short, traditional phrase that you could learn to recreate from memory. It is a good exercise on phrasing and timing.
The Echo toggle places a slight delay effect on what you play. It adds sense of depth to longer held notes and echoes the natural reverb effect of a mountain valley.
The transport area houses volume controls. You can adjust them here to suit your taste. It’s a smooth responsive slider so you don’t have an instrument that is either too loud or too harsh.
Included too is a fullscreen option that fills the instrument out to cover all of your screen, eliminating distractions and allowing for better viewing of visual feedback and labeling of pipes. You can get a quick reminder of what all these options are by using the help panel at any time.
To make the most of this instrument try slowing down and speeding up as you glide across the pipes. Slowly will give you a connected, warm legato line whereas quick flicks will generate a staccato effect. This allows you to dynamicly control your playing, expressing a range of emotions through what you play.
You might also like to explore the echo effect adding an atmospheric element to the melody. Have the echo turned on for a more meditative, slow phrase and turned off for a more rhythmic, crisp pattern.
As you play, it displays current note and its frequency in the read-out display. This can be helpful when first learning the relationship between where a pipe is located and the sound it makes. With practice, you’ll increasingly rely less on labels and more on your memory. The lighting-up of the pipes when played visually reinforces that connection.
The interface has keyboard shortcuts so that you can operate it hands-free. The spacebar plays the scale and tapping the question mark key will toggle the help panel. So you don’t need to take your attention away from music to use the controls.
It’s also low latency and responsive. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, you’ll find the instrument satisfying. Play through the whole range from bottom note to top and take some time to listen to what is happening. As you ascend up the instrument you will notice that sound varies. Higher notes become more penetrating and bright whereas the lower ones are rounder and warmer. This information will allow you to select an appropriate register for the melody.
Playing it is as easy as playing a simple major scale or even a popular melody such as Happy Birthday. Once you feel happy with how it lays out, then have a go at improvising some phrases yourself. Because of its simplicity, you do not need to worry about technique but more about being creative.
A virtual pan flute is a great place for relaxation and to explore your musical abilities. Whether you want to play some ambient tones to pass the time or work on your musical ability, this instrument serves you well. Dive right in and begin playing now.