The
pan flutes are a group of
musical instruments based on the principle of the
closed tube, consisting of multiple pipes of gradually increasing length (and occasionally girth). Multiple varieties of panflutes have long been popular as
folk instruments. They are considered to be the first
mouth organ, ancestor of both the
pipe organ and the
harmonica. The pipes are typically made from
bamboo,
giant cane, or local reeds. Other materials include wood, plastic, metal and ivory.