"Welcome to the homepage of the first free online course of study for the pan flute in the world! Due to overwhelming demand from pan flute enthusiasts around the world, I would like to present my free video lessons, now expanded with new lessons and upgraded to high-quality .mpeg video! For almost all its long history, the pan flute (sometimes also called the panpipes) has been free of the institutionalization that has plagued many other, more familiar musical instruments. In recent years, however, this has changed. There have been efforts by various parties to corner the fledgling pan flute market, in effect, to "own the truth" concerning the instrument's building, playing, and distribution. I have vowed to oppose any efforts to control the access to the pan flute, by making knowledge of the instrument available to all. My free lessons are designed to give anyone the ability to learn how to play the pan flute on their own, without the aid of any other publications. The prevailing myth (perpetuated by those panflutists who fear the decline of their influence and profits) is that you need to study with a prominent pan flute virtuoso to be a good panflutist. The notion is quite simply false. Everyone has the ability to develop their own unique technique and approach to the instrument. Learning to play the pan flute doesn't involve any deep secrets or complex techniques. Your results will be determined by the amount of time and effort you invest in the instrument. The only true secret to the pan flute can be said with three words - practice, practice, practice. I created these pan flute lessons for the benefit of all people worldwide, but particularly for those people who are unable to afford instructional publications. It is time, past time, for a pan flute teacher to step forward with genuine help for beginners, rather than seeking to line their own pockets or stroke their own egos. I am happy to be the individual to do this. I hope you enjoy the lessons, and remember: you can do it!" -Douglas Bishop
I often find myself in the position of answering questions from beginning pan flutists, who are curious about the subtleties of the instrument, and how it applies to their own learning process. For these inquisitive pan flute novices, I would like to recommend studying the detailed account of Alex Diaz! On his blog, panflutejourney.com, Alex imparts all of his personal discoveries and experiences during his learning of the pan flute over the previous five years. This work is indispensable for the dedicated pan flute novice as a tool of encouragement and inspiration, as well as a valuable guide full of practical tips and advice. Alex has also recently finished his own pan flute tutorial e-book, a must-have guide for all pan flute beginners, and available for ordering on his blog! Feel free to contact Alex if you have any questions. Tell him Douglas sent you!
Note: Douglas Bishop is not a compensated endorser.
Affordable pan flutes of high quality? Here is Douglas' recommendation!
Pan Flutes by Sean Koreski
If you are looking for an affordable, top-of-the-line quality pan flute, handcrafted by a highly-skilled and experienced pan flute artisan, then Sean Koreski is the man you're looking for! Sean began playing the pan flute when he was only 5 years old, and immediately demonstrated an uncommon affinity for the instrument. As Sean matured this affinity also led him to begin building his own pan flutes. Sean eventually made his way to Bolivia, where he remained for several years, refining his knowledge of both pan flute performing and crafting. Sean Koreski now lives in Portland, Oregon, where he maintains an active performance schedule as a soloist, and now offers his handcrafted pan flutes at very competitive prices, the products of his many years of knowledge and experience with the instrument. Koreski pan flutes are built from the finest tonkin bamboo, laid down by hand and allowed to age, a process that can encompass years. Only the finest of this bamboo is used in Koreski pan flutes, and the resulting instruments possess uncommon clarity of sound, as well as enchanting tone color. To order your Koreski pan flute, visit Sean online!
Note: Douglas Bishop is not a compensated endorser.
A Worldwide History of the Pan Flute
It is clear that no pan flute student's education can be complete without some knowledge of the instrument's history. For some time, I have pondered the past and present history of the pan flute. One surprising insight I have gained is this: among my colleagues, it is an apparent rarity to consider the implications of any of the pan flute's history beyond its modern period, a span of time approximately encompassing the previous 70 years. Much of what modern panflutists understand as "pan flute history" is based on the assertions of their respective teachers (relatively few of whom have actually researched the pan flute's history), or even on the conceits of mythology. These accounts often name the usual prominent figures in the pan flute's modern history (Zamfir, Damian Luca, etc.), but rarely (if ever) address the pan flute's history prior to this period. During this modern period, the teaching and building of the pan flute has become the province of specialized ateliers and schools, as well as prominent performing panflutists. In the words of one European atelier: "This is the most artificial time for the pan flute". One of the most deplorable consequences of this increased institutionalization is that the pan flute's ancient history becomes a footnote, little studied (if at all) and neglected. One of my primary missions is to correct this oversight, by employing an evidence-based approach, and my knowledge and research of historical disciplines, to tell the pan flute's story with fidelity and impartiality.
The pan flute's ancient history makes one thing very clear: for almost all of its history, the pan flute has not been a thing of the prominent, but of the "average Joes and Janes" who, liking the sound of the wind blowing through the reed and bamboo thickets of the world, decided to build their own pan flute, and enjoy themselves playing it. In the realization of this historically accurate "average person / pan flute" relationship is to be found the true nature of the instrument. The incredible diversity of the pan flute forms to be found worldwide, and the diverse origins of the people who have built and played them throughout history, overwhelmingly bears witness to this. This is in stark contrast to the compartmentalization of more recent years. When I examine the historical evidence, I can only arrive at this conclusion: The pan flute is not a thing of one person, one name, one people, or one nation - it is a thing of all humankind.
"Welcome to the homepage of the first free online course of study for the pan flute in the world! Due to overwhelming demand from pan flute enthusiasts around the world, I would like to present my free video lessons, now expanded with new lessons and upgraded to high-quality .mpeg video! For almost all its long history, the pan flute (sometimes also called the panpipes) has been free of the institutionalization that has plagued many other, more familiar musical instruments. In recent years, however, this has changed. There have been efforts by various parties to corner the fledgling pan flute market, in effect, to "own the truth" concerning the instrument's building, playing, and distribution. I have vowed to oppose any efforts to control the access to the pan flute, by making knowledge of the instrument available to all. My free lessons are designed to give anyone the ability to learn how to play the pan flute on their own, without the aid of any other publications. The prevailing myth (perpetuated by those panflutists who fear the decline of their influence and profits) is that you need to study with a prominent pan flute virtuoso to be a good panflutist. The notion is quite simply false. Everyone has the ability to develop their own unique technique and approach to the instrument. Learning to play the pan flute doesn't involve any deep secrets or complex techniques. Your results will be determined by the amount of time and effort you invest in the instrument. The only true secret to the pan flute can be said with three words - practice, practice, practice. I created these pan flute lessons for the benefit of all people worldwide, but particularly for those people who are unable to afford instructional publications. It is time, past time, for a pan flute teacher to step forward with genuine help for beginners, rather than seeking to line their own pockets or stroke their own egos. I am happy to be the individual to do this. I hope you enjoy the lessons, and remember: you can do it!" -Douglas Bishop
Learn the pan flute with Douglas' free lessons! 
