ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

The Reading Aulos

The reading aulos, also known as the double-pipe flute, is a musical instrument that people used to play long ago. Imagine a long stick with two holes in it. When someone blows air into one of the holes, it travels down the stick and makes a sound come out the other hole.

The reading aulos is a bit more complicated than that, though! It actually has two sticks (or pipes) that are connected together. Each stick has its own set of holes and produces its own sound. One stick usually played a higher sound and the other a lower sound.

To play the reading aulos, you have to blow air into one of the pipes and use your fingers to cover and uncover the holes to make different notes. You have to move your fingers very quickly to play fast music.

This instrument was very popular in ancient Greece and Rome, and it was often played during religious ceremonies or theatrical performances. People believed that music had special powers to heal and calm them, so they would use the reading aulos to help them feel better.

Nowadays, we have different kinds of instruments and music, but the reading aulos is still an important part of history and culture. Some people still play it today to learn about the past and enjoy its unique sound.