Science Fair Project Encyclopedia Pan pipes (also known as the
panflute or the syrinx or quills) is an ancient musical
instrument based on the principle of the stopped pipe,
consisting usually of ten or more pipes of gradually increasing
length. The syrinx (Greek συριγξ) has long been popular as a
folk instrument, and is considered the ancestor of both the pipe
organ and the harmonica, or mouth organ. The panpipes are named
for their association with the rustic Greek god Pan. The pipes
composing it are stopped at one end, so that the sound waves
have to travel twice the length of the pipe, giving out a note
nearly an octave lower than that produced by an open pipe of
equal length. In the traditional style, pipes are fine tuned to
correct pitch by placing small pebbles or dry corn kernels into
the bottom of the pipes. Contemporary makers of panpipes will
use a wax - commonly beeswax - to tune their new instruments.
The pan pipe is played with breath blown horizontally across the
open end against the sharp inne