The Conch is used as a shell trumpet and found in many places around the world. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew it as a Triton's trumpet.

The Maori version, Putara or Pumoana, was made by cutting off the spiral end of a conch shell and fitting on a wooden mouthpiece. When it produced a loud, clear note suitable for signalling. It was also used for ceremonial purposes such as to announce the birth of a male child of rank, or to gather people together for a special occasion.

William Golding's book "Lord of the Flies" frequently references "The Conch". In the book the conch is used to call everyone together and held by whoever is speaking at meetings, symbolically representing democracy and order.

Most conch shells will only naturally play one note, but with pitch manipulations, multiple sounds can be achieved.

The insertion of the hand and the placement of the fingers will also change the pitch of the shell.