Hi guys,just spoken to Tony Hinnigan in LA,he’s working on James Horners new score for the new movie “New World”.
Just before he left he asked me to make him an alloy Quena in Bb as some of the Qs were in Bb.
I have never made a Quena before so Tony came over and I set to work.
As it happens,it only took an hour before we had a working instrument and he just told me that it’s now on the soundtrack for the movie.
This is a first (as far as I know)for an alloy Quena.
I now look forward to seeing the movie.
Check Tonys’ site at www.tonyhinnigan.com
Cheers.
Phil.
I’ve seen metal one’s on the internet:
http://exchanges.state.gov/culprop/peru/metal/0000000e.htm
And discussion about making them from materials other than wood:
http://www.fippless.org/Quena/Make/Materials
Still, I’m curious what exactly you made yours out of? Do you think there might be a market for them? Plenty of wood ones around, but I don’t remember seeing alloy ones for sale.
Did you try playing it? How did you find the breath requirement? Watching the clips Tony Hinnigan has on his website, he plays things that almost make him pass out and would kill any normal human. I have a Quena in G and find the amount of air needed is more than any whistle I’ve played, including Shaws. Probably like the flute–it does require more air, but you learn to play better and it won’t turn your face blue.
Thanks for the post. It’s always interesting to see what Tony Hinnigan’s doing and to read what goes on in a whistle maker’s day to day life.
I use some 3/4" alloy tube,the same as for mezzo whistles,also I put a tuning slide for temp variations.
I did try playing it and found that after a few mins and with some ombrachure (Sp?) adjustment ,it did sound pretty good,of coarse Tony made it sing within seconds and seemed pretty happy with it.
We had an idea that if people wanted them we would make them available from his site,stay tuned.
Phil.
Phil-- how long will Tony be in the US? I’ll have a package for him very soon…
Steve Maulsby showed me an instrument that looks like the picture of a quena that the susato people made for him. Anyone know anything about that? Do they plan on making them?
Is it even possible for anyone not on a direct line of descent from the Incas to get any sound out of a quena? I’ve tried a couple of instruments, including one my girlfriend (now my wife) brought back from Colombia, and I’ve never been able to get more than a soft whoosh of air with no discernable tone whatsoever.
:roll:
I can easily play the one I made from PVC, and if I have any Inca blood, it will be a tremendous surprise to my mother… 
Check out this excellent site:
http://www.fippless.org/Quena/Play
fippless.org was cited above regarding materials. The site has very excellent instructions for making your own Quena from PVC. With a hacksaw, file and drill (press is better, but hand drill works too) you can EASILY make an excellent Quena and learn to play it. I’d highly recommend it to anyone. Please note the PVC dust warnings and wear a dust mask-- the inhaled dust stays in your lungs forever.
I have a Quena my grandson brought me from Chile. I can ocassionally get a sound out of it but a tune no way.
Ron
I have just filmed a short interview with Tony and he played the Quena I made for him in the interview.
You know where to look.
Phil.