How the telenka makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the telenka belongs to the flutes (edge-blown): an air jet is split on a sharp edge, setting the air column vibrating – flutes, recorders, whistles and panpipes.
More broadly it is one of the aerophones (wind instruments), where sound comes from vibrating air.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
The telenka (Ukrainian: Теленка) (telynka, tylynka) is an overtone flute, a primitive form of dentsivka without fingerholes.
The pitch produced from the instrument is changed by placing a finger into the open end of the pipe, and covering this opening by a half or third etc. and also by the strength of the player's breath.
Other flutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a telenka sound like?
As one of the flutes, its sound comes from the way an air jet is split on a sharp edge, setting the air column vibrating.
What type of instrument is the telenka?
It is classified as flutes (edge-blown) (Hornbostel–Sachs 421.111-1).