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Background of the Native American Flute Browse Top 9 Native American Flute Tips - Native American flutes are undoubtedly some of the most enchanting instruments. Music played on a Native six-hole flute captivates listeners and can calm one's spirit. If you're familiar with flute music, you're likely fond of it as well. If you're new to flutes or looking for one for yourself or as a special gift, I… : Where Spirit Takes Form
Next to the drum, the most significant Native American instrument is the flute. Early written accounts of explorers and colonists often mention that the native peoples played ‘flutes’. Unfortunately, these accounts do not include images or descriptions of these instruments. It is likely that there were several different types of flutes used, as confirmed by archaeological evidence.
The Native American flute, commonly known today as the ‘two-chambered duct flute’, is a design unique to North America. It features a slow air chamber at the head end of the flute, into which air is blown. Then, there is a duct or channel that carries the air from this chamber to the splitting edge, where part of the air is directed into the sound chamber or bore of the flute. A solid area separates these two chambers.
The history of Native American flutes is not very clear due to the lack of written records. In pre-Columbian times, Native peoples preserved their rich history through oral stories passed down from generation to generation. These stories recounted how the people came to be and where they are, providing accounts of their cultural heritage. Many of these stories were expressed through song and are sometimes referred to as “creation myths” by ethnologists.
There are numerous stories about the discovery, creation, or gifting of the flute to Native people. One common story involves a woodpecker, a hollow branch, and the wind. Many others revolve around a young man seeking to capture the attention of a maiden.
The Hopi people have long had an organized group known as a flute society. Among the Hopi, the flute is used by members of the Flute Society for ceremonial and healing purposes. It is believed that other Native American tribes had similar relationships with the flute. These ancient oral traditions often limited the use of the flute to men, although this has changed in modern times.
Today, Native American flutes bring joy to people all over the world. They are beautiful to behold, delightful to hold, and enchanting to play. Native American-style flutes are accessible to both beginners and experienced musicians.
The Native American flute has gained recognition for its unique sound and is used in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. Originally, the flute was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation Self-realization and meditation (yoga for the mind) - Peter Cajander allowed us to publish this part from his book Fragments of Reality. It talks about life from a personal perspective covering areas ranging from self-realization, meditation, stress, happiness, death, and everyday living. Peter is a writer, philosophical thinker, entrepreneur, strategy consultant, business executive, and author to name a few titles. He has been… , and spiritual rituals. Today, it is played solo, with other instruments or vocals, or with backing tracks in Native American contemporary music and other genres. There are two distinct types of Native American flutes, the plains flute and the woodlands flute, each with slightly different construction.
In the late 1960s, there was a revival centered around the Native American flute, with a new wave of flutists and artisans such as Doc Tate Nevaquaya and Carl Running Deer. R. Carlos Nakai, in particular, achieved mainstream fame for his fusion of the flute with New Age and ambient sounds. Mary Youngblood is the only Native American flutist to have won two Grammy awards, while others have been recognized as Grammy nominees.
Notable and award-winning Native American flutists include Timothy Archambault, Charles Littleleaf, Jeff Ball, Douglas Blue Feather, Joseph Firecrow, Kevin Locke, Robert Mirabal, Jay Red Eagle, Robert Tree Cody, and David Atlas. Some classical composers have also written music for the Native American flute, including James DeMars, David Yeagley, Brent Michael Davids, and Philip Glass.
When it comes to purchasing Native American flutes, it is important to be aware of certain considerations. Native American flute development is distinct from the development of African, Asian, or European flutes. The term “Native American flute” refers specifically to a wooden duct flute with a block whistle mechanism. As a result, any flute of this type, regardless of whether it was built in Korea or elsewhere, could be sold as a Native American flute. This is similar to Spanish guitars that may be built in Cleveland, Ohio, but are still referred to as “Spanish guitars.” To ensure authenticity, it is necessary to look for a clear indication that a flute is specifically Native American-built if that is what you are seeking. Just as you would search for a “produced in Spain” label to find a guitar authentically from Spain, it is important to find an unambiguous statement confirming that a flute is Native American-made.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
