Limbe is a traditional Mongolian folk long song instrument made of hardwood or bamboo, traditionally played with the side-blown technique.
Mongolians refer to Limbe as a transverse reed pipe. Originally, the word limbe comes from the Tibetan word gling-bu, which means reed pipe. Since Mongolia has many musical instruments called reed pipe, such as vertical pipe, packaged pipe, take-off pipe, etc., however, the Tibetan version was kept in common usage to differentiate one instrument from the rest. In contrast to other countries, Mongolian flutists use a circular breathing technique. As Mongolia has an extensive territory, the Mongolian long song needed to be played uninterrupted. The technique of circular breathing has been used by Mongolians for hundreds of years. In Mongolian limbe, the very basic technique played during traditional folk and long songs is the pentatonic technique, which is called circular breathing, in which the two fingers are not lifted while playing the music. This technique is unique since the tones are played with similar sounds. Limbe performers create the continuous, wide-range melodies characteristic of long songs by using circular breathing. Flute players breathe in through their noses while simultaneously blowing out through their mouths, using the air stored in their cheeks to play the flute uninterrupted. This exceptional technique transforms the body's normal breathing pattern by creating simultaneous movements while breathing in and out continuously. Since these movements occur continually. Circular breathing is one of the rare techniques used when playing wind instruments. Its magic lies in the fact that it cannot be discerned by the spectator from any breathing process as it takes place without interruption of the melody. In the 16th century, this technique was introduced to the Buddhist monasteries' organs and trumpets.
Generally, a single stanza of a folk song lasts between four and five minutes. Performing the flute for twelve to twenty-five minutes is required to play a single song consisting of three to five stanzas. In traditional training methods, blowing continuously at a candle flame without extinguishing it, or blowing through a straw into water are examples of how to acquire this skill. Playing limbe is characterized by euphonious melodies, melisma, hidden tunes, and skilled finger and tongue movements.
As the number of groups and individuals utilizing the element has decreased substantially, there has been concern over a small number of practitioners. International music forms and training systems have been largely responsible for this. In the present day, this traditional element's frequency of practice and extent are under constant threat, with only fourteen Limbe practitioners remaining.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/folk-long-song-performance-technique-of-limbe-performances-circular-breathing-00543) (http://www.mongolianheritages.com/en/intangible-cultural-heritages/mongolian-traditional-flutes-2011/)