Shikra, Atenteben Style Chromatic Flute in Bb
The Shikra is my take on the Ghanaian atenteben, a fully chromatic flute in the key of Bb. Like a recorder, it has a thumb-hole and also needs only two half-holed notes for the full twelve semitones. Unlike a recorder or a penny whistle, its bottom note is the maj 7th (A) and the windway is on the bottom instead of the top. A fingering chart is
The Shikra is my take on the Ghanaian atenteben, a fully chromatic flute in the key of Bb. Like a recorder, it has a thumb-hole and also needs only two half-holed notes for the full twelve semitones. Unlike a recorder or a penny whistle, its bottom note is the maj 7th (A) and the windway is on the bottom instead of the top. A fingering chart is supplied with the instrument. Atentebens are usually made from bamboo, but my version is from PVC, so it is quite strong. The fipple design is similar to that of my penny whistles and the Shikra also adopts their small bell.
Features:
A curved lip like a classical flute giving a distinctive tone.
Each Shikra is hand tuned to concert pitch and is even tempered
The range of the instrument is just over two octaves, A4 to Bb6
BTW the Shikra is named after a small migratory bird of prey found in Ghana among other places.
Note: My instruments are usually shipped within three business days and delivery is generally within two weeks. Sorry, Shikra bird, guitar and violin not included.