double pipes in the Americas

Double pipes are uncommon but not altogether unknown in the Americas. A singular form with internal single reed is played by the Camayura Indians along the Xingu River, Brazil: two cane tubes of unequal length—the longer considered male, the shorter female—are tied together; the longer measures some 2 meters (6½ feet). Both are devoid of fingerholes, needless to say. A natural node is left at about 30 to 40 centimeters (12 to 16 inches) from the top and is pierced;...