[1] The origins of the apito are undoubtedly a fairly simple instrument, but has developed as a standard today into a whistle capable of giving three notes.

It has three distinct, complementary tones that are achieved by placing fingers over the side chamber holes in various combinations.

[1] When one blows air through the mouthpiece, the small ball or dowel rod moves around the chamber and hits its sides.

[4] Band leaders using single-tone apitos can choose to hold the instrument between their teeth and create signals with both the whistle and their hands to conduct.

One can manipulate the pitch being played by covering either or both of the holes on the sides of the instrument using a thumb and/or index finger.