Overview

TThe pungi is a simple folk instrument traditionally played by snake charmers. It is made of a small gourd with a blowing hole at the top and two attached pipes at the bottom. Its sharp, penetrating sound is produced by reeds for each pipe inside the gourd. The gourd functions as air-chamber for the reeds - the same principle is used in bagpipes. However, the gourd being rigid and relatively small, constant blowing with high pressure is required in order to produce the proper sound. Good intonation depends upon just the right air pressure and requires a certain practice. Continous playing with circular breathing is also possible with some practice. The pungi is thus a very exciting, expressive solo instrument, but tricky to use together with other melody or harmony instruments.

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