Playing the Koauau uses the same method as blowing across the top of a bottle except sideways.
Place the mouthpiece in the corner of your mouth. Your lips should form a seal against the mouthpiece. The blowing action is much the same as whistling, with the lips directing the air across the mouthpiece of the Koauau.
There are several fingerings to block the holes, find what feels the most comfortable.
At first try with the holes closed; then, blowing a low "whistle" move the Koauau until a sound is heard.
From there, opening the other holes and increasing the blowing pressure will eventually produce the full range of notes for your Koauau.
I tend to use 3 fairly regular holes especially in the smaller flutes as this gives a more universal musical application .
I have also "tuned" these Koauau by sizing the stopholes to give the strongest and clearest tone for each particular instrument.
NGURU - the nose flute of the Maori.
The Nguru is the nose flute of the Maori and yes they do play them with the nose.
They can be played with the mouth as per a Koauau but there is a certain quality of sound that seems to be attained by playing them with the nose.
One nostril is blocked with a finger while the other blows across the mouth of the Nguru.
Contact me for availability or with ideas you might like created.
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