Peule Flute

The Peule flute, or talking flute, is also known as the fule or pastoral flute. This instrument was already being played during the reign of the great king Sundiata Keïta (13th century), whose Mandinka empire stretched across Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Niger. This three-hole flute is made of reed and beeswax. Its repertoire comes as much from the repertoire of griots as from farmers and blacksmiths, with the particularity of integrating the sounds of the voice (blowing, speaking, and singing) into its playing.

Today, it is used to provide rhythm for traditional celebrations and in large instrumental orchestras accompanied by balafons, n’goni, kora, percussion, and singing. The flute is learned using traditional oral methods, supplemented by a traditional written notation system.

Course content and objectives

• learning the notes played on the flute
• singing techniques on the flute
• discovering sound-breath-breathing techniques
• learning traditional melodies
• learning accompaniment phrases and solo phrases for playing in a group

How to obtain the instrument?

The instrument can be purchased from the teacher or made during the session (including learning repair and maintenance techniques for the mouthpiece).