Xaphoon

Thanks to Lothmak for this post.

Some information from Wikipedia:

The Xaphoon is a single-reed keyless wind instrument, very similar in construction to the chalumeau, a European keyless single-reed renaissance folk instrument that was the ancestor of the clarinet. The sound of a Xaphoon is actually somewhere between that of a sax and a clarinet, and overblows in 12ths, like a clarinet. The originator, Brian Whitman, still makes the bamboo instruments by hand in his home on the island of Maui, Hawaii, using local bamboo cut from the forests of the eastern end of the island.

The Xaphoon Bamboo Sax, which is available in the keys of C, B♭, and D (as well as any other key via special order) uses a regular tenor saxophone reed. Its body is 31.75 centimeters in length (for the instrument pitched in C) and has nine holes (eight holes in front, and one hole in back, for the left thumb) that resemble those of a recorder. The Xaphoon's fingerings, however, are significantly different from those of either a saxophone or recorder. It has a range of two octaves and is fully chromatic.

In the spring of 2000, a molded ABS version of the instrument was introduced, which is marketed under the trade name Pocket Sax. Currently, it is available in the key of C, with its lowest tone being middle C. Its durability, rich tone, low price, and portability made it a suitable alternative to the harmonica or tin whistle for travelers who wish to bring an instrument with them in their pocket or daypack.

How it looks:




Example of playing: