横笛(よこぶえ)

A general term for flutes held horizontally and blown from the side, as opposed to 縦笛(たてぶえ) (vertical flute/recorder). Includes both Japanese traditional flutes and Western flutes. In Japanese music, the most well-known types are the 篠笛(しのぶえ) (bamboo flute used in folk music and festivals) and the 龍笛(りゅうてき) (used in 雅楽(ががく), traditional court music).

Common collocations

• 横笛(よこぶえ)を吹(ふ)く: to play the transverse flute
• 横笛(よこぶえ)の音色(ねいろ): the tone of a transverse flute
• 竹(たけ)の横笛(よこぶえ): bamboo transverse flute

Similar words

• 縦笛(たてぶえ): recorder, vertical flute — held vertically and blown from the top
• 篠笛(しのぶえ): shinobue — a specific type of Japanese bamboo transverse flute
• フルート: flute — the Western concert flute