ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Vertical flute

Imagine a very long pipe that you can blow into like a whistle. This long pipe is called a vertical flute. It is usually made out of metal or wood.

When you blow into the vertical flute, you create a column of air inside the pipe. The air rushes out at a very fast speed, and this causes vibrations or tiny movements in the air. These vibrations travel through the pipe, and that's how the flute makes sound.

The length of the vertical flute affects the pitch or how high or low the sound is. Longer flutes make lower sounds, and shorter flutes make higher sounds. This is because the longer the pipe, the slower the air vibrations and the lower the pitch.

To play different notes on the vertical flute, you cover and uncover holes along the pipe with your fingers. By covering different combinations of holes, you change the length of the pipe. This changes the pitch, and you can play different melodies or songs.

Some people are really good at playing the vertical flute and can make it sound very beautiful. They practice a lot to learn how to control their breath and fingers to create different sounds and melodies. It's like learning to play a musical instrument, and it takes a lot of practice and patience to become good at it.