| Native American flutes are among the most | | | | within the Tribe and in public once again. |
| favored Indian musical instruments of all | | | | |
| time. I have always enjoyed Native flute | | | | Over time, the regard for the Native American |
| music for its beautiful sound quality and | | | | flute grew to the point that flute makers |
| ability to bring a tranquil calm to the | | | | began generating these instruments in large |
| environment where it is played. | | | | numbers to sell, and not just for personal |
| | | | use. The materials used to make the flutes |
| Hearing Native flutes always bring back | | | | also shifted from undeveloped crude |
| memories of my mother's kitchen where she | | | | instruments to more sophisticated, with the |
| often had flute music playing to create a | | | | use of modern power tools and the ability to |
| tranquil environment in her home. The | | | | find different kinds of woods, plastics and |
| soothing flute music revives the soul and | | | | metals. |
| produces a calming affect on the spirit of | | | | |
| all who listen. | | | | These days, there are many options available |
| | | | when deciding on a Native style flute, and it |
| If you take a look at the history of Indian | | | | is just a matter of personal preference. |
| musical instruments, you will see that along | | | | There are a few recommendations you should |
| with the drum, the flute plays a meaningful | | | | keep in mind though when choosing an |
| role in the daily lives, ceremonies and | | | | instrument. |
| cultures of many Indian people. Native | | | | |
| American flute music takes you on a spiritual | | | | There are numerous types of flutes, but all |
| journey where generations look to their | | | | have one of two different sound styles. The |
| ancestors to lead them, and use their | | | | sound quality of the flute depends on whether |
| instruments to connect them with the Great | | | | it is a Plains style or a Woodlands style. A |
| Spirit. | | | | Plains style flute will produce a buzz type |
| | | | sound while a Woodlands style produces a bell |
| Flutes of various kinds have been around for | | | | tone. |
| centuries and have been part of many | | | | |
| Indigenous Tribes around the world. The study | | | | No matter which sound style of flute you |
| of flute instruments in history shows us that | | | | choose, it is essential to look over the |
| they did exist in ancient cultures. | | | | quality and characteristics of that |
| | | | individual instrument, including the |
| The origin and design of the Native American | | | | mouthpiece, size, shape and number of holes, |
| flute is a little harder to trace due to the | | | | in order to choose one that is right for you. |
| fact that North American Tribes did not have | | | | Native American flutes also come in many |
| written languages. It wasn't until travelers | | | | different types of wood ranging from lavish, |
| documented their travels and findings, that | | | | rather pricey woods, to basic pieces of pine, |
| record of the Native American flute is noted. | | | | cane or bamboo. |
| | | | |
| You can't take in the true worth of Native | | | | Thanks to the widespread interest in flute |
| flute music until you see that society came | | | | music, you can conveniently buy Native |
| close to destroying this incredible art with | | | | American flutes online, in some music stores, |
| rigid assimilation rules. The 1900's brought | | | | and in decor shops that sell Indian musical |
| with it tough rules for Native Americans that | | | | instruments and southwestern home decorating |
| almost succeeded to suffocate their culture | | | | accessories. |
| and people. | | | | |
| | | | If you are searching for a simple instrument |
| Along with many other Native Indian | | | | to learn to play, or are searching for real |
| traditions, these rules strangled the | | | | Indian musical instruments for playing in |
| advancement of Native flute music. It wasn't | | | | Indian powwows and ceremonies, consider |
| until the middle of the century that | | | | keeping the beautiful customs and instruments |
| assimilation laws started to change and | | | | of Indian people alive with the tranquil |
| Native traditions were able to be practiced | | | | tones of Native American flutes. |