quena tutorial - lesson 1 - How to place and blow the quena - English 

Hi there. I'm a 69 year old grandma from Eastern Canada and my way of sticking the finger at Covid during lockdown was first to take up the recorder, always wanted to. I already play the guitar and piano by ear. Enjoyed the recorder very much as I could take it on my walks along the trail or along the river. In December, 2020, I bought my first Native American wooden flute here in Canada. It spoke to my soul! It was in the key of G 432 Htz. I then bought my second flute in key of A 432 Htz . I have learned to play multiple tunes practicing and practicing over and over. I play to the stars, moon, my plants, animals, they have forgiving ears for my practicing. Yesterday, I received my Andean Quena flute in key of C. I began practicing immediately as the quena flute has a soul sound. Today, I can get notes on the first two holes and thumb hole. My problem is the finger stretch. Your fingers look perpendicular to the fingerholes whereas mine are stretched at a very crooked elongated E! I am so used to the closely set keys on my native american flutes that the quena flute may be too big a stretch. I shall continue to practice, but if you have any ideas, I would be grateful. Fellow flute lover!

Just bought my first flute, a quena, I thought it sounded so beautiful. This helped me a lot, I am no longer getting dizzy xD

You are the best ! .. I watched other videos, and nothing couldn’t make a sound, I followed your instructions and omg , I did it ! .. But it would take much practice.. God bless you my man …🙏♥️ I also recommend your video to “ shamman market” where I bought my flute , for other customers..

That was so helpful. I finally got a sound. I'm a total beginner but I really want to learn this beautiful instrument

The best video!!!! I still can't make it play, but at least I got a glimpse of a sound for a second. That's enough motivation for me 😊 thank you 🙏🏼

Yes! I got my flute about five years ago but put it away because I could not get any sound out of it- until your tutorial today. Your a very good teacher. Thank you from Montana.

Thank you for that. I just got my quena today and it looks just like yours. I really really love the sound of the quena when it's played well but I'm brand new and your lesson here is very helpful. Thank you, I'm going to keep practicing Day by day. God bless

Excellent video have been to Peru 3 times in the past 2 years and finally purchased a nice quena and will start practicing. Please put up for videos please!

Hey! Great video and very helpful. Gracias and God bless.

Thank you my friend it was beautiful.... I’m from California but was born and raised in Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains....

thanks guys for your comments I have 2 more videos on this Channel about quena second octave and some techniques as well ,, thanks and bless day always

Thank you for this great video. I kept trying and now I can get a good sound. I just got my quena today. Thank you.

Thanks for the good Quena lesson!

Thank you very much for teaching basics of quena. I am a south Korean ocarist. I just began Quena playing. I will watch your videos series. Thanking you again!

Thank you for your video. I just received my Peru Quena in G maj made by Benito Tito out of Karanda Wood. It is gorgeous, but I am all air right now, lol. I will work on just getting a clean note blowing softly. By-the-way your english is good!

what a lovely mello sound . a Quena was my first flute and got stolen. since i have played many types of flute, and made some too. I would love to have one again.

In Cuzco right now my Brother and just bought a beautiful quena. Taking it back home to sweden. Thanks for your vids. Already find them super useful!

Thank you for the videos my man, I moved away from San Antonio after 20 years living there and these tutorials bring me home while I’m learning. Los Spurs baby.

Wonderful! And very sweet of you to share this with everyone. Thank you

thank you so much i am 74 but i am a usa native american i need to learn this quena flute thanks

great video! It's the first time i manage to sustain a note with a good sound without getting dizzy thanks to your advice!

We just got our flute that we ordered from you. It's beautiful and within five minutes following your instructions my daughter is already making it sing lol, she's been at it all afternoon. Thank you so much.

you're a great teacher! thank yo so much, my partner just returned from Peru and brought me one as a gift - as I watched you and practiced I made my first sound/note! Thanks and I'm glad to have your videos as a help on this journey! Keep it up!

Gracias! Tu explicación ayuda un montón!

Thank you for the lesson, very comprehensive and helpful!

I play Descant Recorder and transverse flutes, but couldn't work out how to get a sound out of this instrument until I watched your video. Many thanks for a clear elucidation!

Never knew it could sound so beautiful!

Thanks for the tutorial, just got my quena today as a birthday gift, I haven't got it to play yet but I'll keep practicing.

Excellent!

Thanks a lot Mr Tuesta your video is clear and easy!

I am trying to learn and still cannot make a sound. You play so beautifully. I am eager to make a simple sound.

Really good teacher

Thanks a lot man! I bought my quenna last week and i finally managed to get a good sound out of it after a few good tries, because of your tips. God bless u ❤

Thanks buddy, I'll keep trying. Excellent video

Great video. Thank you. I’m in San Marcos and I bought a Quena from an artist named Joselo about 20 years ago and never learned it.

I play the penny whistle. I'm used to not worrying about embouchure, but since I'm learning the quena, it's all I stress about!! This instrument is SO HARD but it's so beautiful so I'm determined to master it! Helpful vid btw!

Thank you for your help!!

Great instruction . i found to use the tip of the tongue to direct the air

Great video

Could you do a class to teach us how air moves inside quena? I think this knowledge is helpful to us to understand how to blow correctly

Thank's master!!

Very helpful, thanks alot

Great Job compadre!

I just came across this tutorial, and just got a quena. I love Peru and Andean music. I’m a big fan of Checho Cuadros and Lucho Quequezana. I couldn’t believe that you said you’re in San Antonio. I live here, too. Looking forward to watching some of your other videos, and learning. Thank you.

Thank you Maestro! Just bought one and these videos are very helpful! Hopefully I can see you perform someday. Coming to you from LA :) much love, stay blessed.

Thank You 🙏!

thank you and God bless you, in Jesus' name.

Muchas gracias! I have a beautiful quena from Peru, but I need to do some more work to get my playing better. Really useful video!

Thank you for This It will help allot. PS your English is Very very good

Thanks a lot

Gracias Sr!

This is very helpful I play trumpet so I have to octaves on my first try I can’t thank you enough Gracias

thank you very much!

Bro i just bought a quena from you at the woodlands here in houston, i recognized you and i find this video trying to learn how to play it jaja. You play really nice 👍🏼

Thanks 👍

Thank you so much it was so informative and helpful please make more tutorials on this instrument I want to learn the second octave and all the notes and scales! :D

Buen video hermano. Recuerdo que la quena tiene 7 agujeros. 7 holes.

Thank you so much for showing us the basics of this instrument. I tried playing one years ago and when I got the sound out of it I have to agree it was the most beautiful sound and I just loved it. Can you tell me how wide the U shape is on the mouthpiece? I am trying to make one at present just to see if I can do it again before I buy one.

Love your tutorial alot! You explain it very well. I bought a quena off of amazon and have been practicing for 4 days since it came in. Unfortunately, I still cannot produce a sound. I think there is something wrong with me haha. Amazing video tho!

Hello from Montana I'm still working on the adjustments to find what position I can hold the instrument. I play trombone and learning something like this is hard but the beautiful sound a person can make with this instrument makes me want to be able to make that sound as well. Plus you dont come across people who dont play a instrument like this every day you know.

great lesson, I'm less concerned now Thx

Hey man! Very good tutorial, i learnt the Andean song you played by listening but i was wondering what it was called?

I don’t have my Quena yet (just ordered yesterday) but I’ve been watching a lot of tutorials about it. This video is probably the best so far. Wasn’t overly technical for a beginner but very informative. I look forward to the next tutorial. Can you recommend a store to buy the instrument? Thank you for the good work!

Dankeschön!

Спасибо большое! (rus)

Thank you hermano! My problem is a soon as I put my fingers over holes the sound disappears. But I get a good sound with the holes open

I Bought my Quena yesterday. Today i made few good notes beyond the majority bad ones. Therefore Im evolving quickly, but still kind stressful when i don't get the mouth's right position.

I’m learning the Chinese Xiao, which is similar to the quena. I couldn’t make any sound on it until I saw your video. Thank you! Your videos have also introduced quena music to me. It’s so beautiful! I think I’ll buy a quena from your site! Do you ship to Canada? Which quena do you recommend for me to start with?

the quena I got is small in diameter so I think that is why I am having trouble getting a consistent sound. I have big lips too lol. so do u suggest a lower octave one?

Sir, I have had very bad luck purchasing a good Quena flute and I would like your recommendation. Please help! Thank you sir :)

I'm trying but I did made a sound and lost it again well thx a lot.

Hi, thank you for taking the time to make your video, it is so detailed and helpful. I got a quena made for me by a friend. I can get some sound to come out but it is still not a very nice sound! You said that it has to do with refining the breath, which I am working on. Does the quality of the quena also affect this? Is there a specific type of quena that is good for beginners?

Thanks for the video in English. That is a nice quena you have . What is the bore sized of it? I am asking because i am trying to make quena.

Hi Teacher ,,,,,,,Which position is best?,,,,,,,,could you tell us the best position of the right and left hand? (right hand upper or down) . Thank You.

Talk tomuch

Muchas gracias estoy tratando pero no encuentro mi ángulo si me sale sonido pero después lo pierdo, tengo que poder😍

hi guys how are you if someone is interesting on professional Andean instruments you can visit my webpage www.andeanstylemall.com and go to professional instruments one the menu, thanks any question let me know god bless you.

I tried, tried, impossible to make any sound...i am to foolish or i have no right lips.

Make it wooden with the help of the Woodglut instructions.