The Quena is a wind instrument it is typical of the Andean
region in South America (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and
Argentina) that was played in the Inca Empire and now the
whole world.
This instrument is made of a bamboo tube, has a length of 25
to 50 cm and consists of 6 equally spaced holes and a front
and a rear for the thumb and a bevel at the top. It has a very
distinctive sound, sweet and emotional, very nostalgic and
very expressive. Can be used as a instrument or in
combination with other instruments to accompany regional
dances.
In ancient times they were built mainly of sugarcane, but also
of bone, clay, condor feathers and now bamboo. The quena
was used to perform pentatonic melodies, then the diatonic to
finally move on to interpret the chromatic scale with any sort
of melody.
He is currently (and next to siku charango) one of the typical
Andean music, with its use in the fusion of music, ethnic
music, music, new age, etc.
-1-
JINGLE BELL
Intro G G G E D C G
G G G E D C A BIS
A A A F E D G
G G A G F D E
E E E E E E E G C D E
F F F F F E E E E D D
E D G
E E E E E E E G C D E
F F F F F E E E G G F D C
-14-
MI HEART WILL GO ON
(From TITANIC movie)
Intro C D E F E D C D G
F E C A A G
C D E F E D C D G
E G A G E D
C C B C C B C D E D BIS
C C B C G
C D G G F E D
E F E D C B C A A G
C D G G F E D
E F E D C B C C B C D E D C
-13-
How to place the quena
It is placed in the middle of the upper lip of the mouth, tilting
slightly toward the bottom, covering the rest of the hole with
the chin, not to exhaust the air; the part of the bevel should be
uncovered so that air is blown to produce the sound.
!
-2-
How to hold the quena
Hold the quena the following way:
1. With one hand cover the top three holes using the
thumb to cover the hole in back
2. With the other hand cover the other three holes
3. Press gently without too much pressure for better
performance
! !
The ways of placing their hands vary, but usually the right
hand goes down, is also playing in reverse.
-3-
LOS CAMINOS DE LA VIDA
(Journey life)
A A D D D D F# F# D F# D D F#
F#
E D C# C# E C# C# E E D C# B
B D B B D G F# D
A A D D D D F# F# D F# D D F#
F#
E D C# C# E C# C# E E D C# B
B D B B D D D A
A B C# D C# C# C# B B B A
A B C# D C# C# C# B B C
G A B C# B B B A A A G
G A B C# B A B A G F#
-12-
MOLIENDO CAFÉ
(Traditional Colombian song)
E A B C C C C C C C C B A C A
E A B C C C C C C C C B A D
E A B D D D D D D D E D E D C BIS
E A B C C C C B B B C B C A A
A A A
D E D E D F# E D E D C (BIS)
B B B B B B B D C D B B B B B
A G F E A C A G A G F E (BIS)
-11-
How to blow the quena
!
You should blow on the bevel in straight from this will produce
the sound, it is possible to move slightly to obtain the sound,
trying to not let the air escape from the chin.
!
-4-
The notes
The notes more used in a scale for the quena are: G major
and C major.
The natural notes of these scales take place covering the
holes completely, generally First and Second octave they take
the same position for notes, they only change to the intensity
and the pressure with which it is blown; whereas for first
octave it is blown slightly, for second octave one is due to
blow with but pressure to produce the sound.
We must mention that for the third octave positions change
totally and the intensity in the blow must be greater.
For the First and Second octave for the SHARPS and FLATS
cover only half of the hole and for the third octave you have to
change the position of the fingers.
-5-
CARNAVALITO
(Carnival party)
Intro B D B A B
B D B A B
B D B A B A B BIS
B D B A B
B D B A B
D D B A B G E
B E E E E G F# BIS
E D D D C# E D
B B B A D B B B A D BIS
B B B A G E
E E F# G D D D D E D (BIS)
B B B A D B B B A D
B B B A G E BIS
D# E D# E D# E E E
-10-
OJOS AZULES
(Blue eyes)
E E E G E D E C
C D E G D B C A
C C C C A G C D E
C D E E G D B C A
CONDOR PASA
(Flight of the condor)
B E D# E F# G F# G A BIS
D B E D B B A G E G E
G A B E D# E D# E G E D
D E D B B A G E B A G E BIS
E G G E
-9-
!
-6-
!
-7-
Songs to practice
C = DO
D = RE
E = MI
F = FA
G = SOL
A = LA
B = SI
-8-
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