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fipple flute
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Indonesian duct flute, bamboo; in the Horniman Museum, London.
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Gong. Closeup of a khong wong gong circle chime. Thai classical musical instrument, part of piphat ensemble. (percussion, music)
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Quick Facts
Also called:
whistle flute, duct flute, or block flute
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fipple flute

musical instrument
Also known as: block flute, duct flute, whistle flute
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Britannica Editors
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History

fipple flute, any of several end-blown flutes having a plug (“block,” or “fipple”) inside the pipe below the mouth hole, forming a flue, duct, or windway that directs the player’s breath alternately above and below the sharp edge of a lateral hole. This arrangement causes the enclosed air column to vibrate. Instruments using the fipple-flute principle include one- or two-note whistles, recorders, flageolets, and the organ (in its flue pipes). The flageolet differs from the recorder by having fewer finger holes.