Ancient Mayan clay flutes re-created by Rey Ortega.
Performing in Akumal, Quintana Roo Mexico with flutes made using traditional building and firing techniques.
The sounds made are copied from nature, most of all birds.

Ethnomusicologist John Burkhalter demonstrates how the Maya would manipulate the pitch of the conch shell.

The turtle carapace was one of the main rhythm instruments of classic Mayan orchestras, and it may have been used frequently as part of the music accompanying the dance rituals of rain ceremonies.

The Mayan Figurines or ocarinas differ significantly in size as well as in design. Men, Women, animals- all were represented in a wide variety of styles.

There are three families of musical instruments that the Mayas used to create sound. The aerophones or wind instruments are the most common musical artifacts.  For example the flutes, wooden trumpets, cone flutes and conch shells. The membranophone are instruments that produce sound by the vibration of a tightly fixed membrane. The idiophone consists of rattles, turtle carapaces and drums with no membrane.

The sound of ancient Maya music is an attribute of this culture that carried a message. Analogous to language, carvings and artistic creations, the music of the ancient Maya served to communicate the meaning of the ritual or ceremony of which it was a part. Instruments are found at nearly every Maya site, which presents music as an element in the social fabric of the culture. Individuals possessed knowledge of instrument building, musical techniques and repertoire that made this art form a commodity. The Maya made use of numerous materials and developed knowledge to produce their music.

For the Mayan community music was a cultural activity that was performed by both child and adult, by

commoner and elite. However, music was explicitly divided between classes.

Music was essential to various facets of everyday life including religious events, agricultural and hunting ceremonies and elite communication. The language, carvings and artistic creations, the music of the ancient Maya served to communicate the meaning of the ritual or ceremony of which it was a part.

The music of the pick panther made with marimba. 
What do you guys think?

A family was playing at the streets of Guatemala with traditional instruments. What do you guys think when you hear the sound made by these instruments?

Guaremalan Harp

Harp is a musical instrument made by the Mayas and used for entertainment, religious ceremonies, cultural dances, drama, and other special activities. It is played with two other instruments. A four-string guitar and a violin are used to blend the music produced by the harp which contains about 50 lyres.  A harp is made out of mahogany or cedar. Symbols of snakes, eagles, tigers and other brave animals are carved on the neck of these instruments. These symbols go back in history to the Gods of Peace called KuKue.

Marimba is a musical instrument used by the Mayas for entertainment, dance, drama, special activities and ceremonies. It produces the most unique sounds, especially when sacred music is played during rituals offered in ceremonies by Mayan shamen. About one hundred and fifty or even more rhythms of music can be played on this musical instrument. The marimba is made from a combination of wood know locally as qku'tej and sankil che.

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My blog is about Mayan music and the instruments they use.