indian flute

[trapper704]

Does anyone know where I can get plans or intructions for makeing a flute? A friend just got one made from an elderberry stalk about 2 in. in dia. It has the most awesome tone I think I have ever heard on one. I know where I can get some old dead seasoned elderberry limbs , and would like to try and make one. Thanks

 

[Jumpshot]

My sister's 'now ex'-boyfriend has been making them with hand tools for about 15 years. He gave me one for my birthday, but I haven't taken the time to learn it yet. You can find lots of info by searching google. It's also knows as the 'Indian love flute' and the 'flageolet', so search for those terms, too. In the meantime, here are some helpful links...
http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1480_native-american-flute.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Flute-Shop-Crafting-Native-American/dp/0976154307
http://www.cedarsongflutes.com/e-book.htm

Go to this site's homepage and click on 'free tutorials' for free lessons...
http://www.waking-spirit.com/tutorials/fluteCare/fluteCare.htm
http://www.flutemaking.com/
http://www.woodsounds.com/resources/howtoplay/howtoplay.php
http://www.oregonflutestore.com/
http://www.native-american-flutes.com/
http://fretwellflutes.com/

Also search for pennywhistle music, also known as the tin whistle. An instrument from Ireland, I think. It's usually a six-hole flute, like the Native American flute, and the music for it can be used for your N.A. flute. The style is different, of course, but learning new techniques can help prevent boredom, and it can help improve your playing in your main style by giving you different techniques to incorporate into it.

Look for CDs by R. Carlos Nakai. Tom Mauchahty-Ware is another good one, also Bryan Akipa, and Douglas Spotted Eagle's 'Sacred Feelings'.

I highly recommend Emergence by Nakai, here...
http://www.amazon.com/Emergence-R-...r_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243235642&sr=1-11

His book on how to play (a bit technical, but informative)...
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Native-American-Flute/dp/0786628987/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Here are a bunch of flute music CDs from SOAR...
http://www.soundofamerica.com/albums.cfm?cat=genre_Flute

Here's a short clip of Bryan Akipa playing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmWnL5I_3Ck

And some songs from Carlos Nakai...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzuLViG5Ybs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka4nA0QvwhA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvgrdrwgEZA&NR=1

 

[Homesteader]

I don't know if this is what you're after, but it sure looks simple and pretty darn neat...

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/kramer42.html

 

[Jumpshot]

The bamboo flute is cool, I have one of those, too. The sound is different than the Indian flute. But it's harder to learn to play because of the positioning of the hands and the type of blow hole it uses. It's held to the side and you blow across the hole like a classical flute. The positioning of the lips/hole must be perfect or you won't get a sound, and this part itself is not easy to master. I don't know about a classical flute, never tried one of those. But with simple hole drilled through the side of a bamboo flute, it ain't easy.

 

[Jumpshot]

And some songs from Carlos Nakai...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzuLViG5Ybs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka4nA0QvwhA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvgrdrwgEZA&NR=1[/quote]

I think some people got their songs mixed up. I just realized those last two are the same song listed with different titles.

 

[Birdman]

Trapper remember to that you don't have to play music that has been written down already. I play the Native flute n don't know a single song by notes, I just play from the heart and what sounds good to my ear and the way I feel at the moment, I've been complimented many times on my style n people are very suprised that I really don't know how to play in a classic sense, feel the music come from within yourself, let nature guide your fingers n enjoy.It really is calming and rejuvinating to sit under a tree and just play what ya feel on occasion. It just sounds right outside in nature.

 

[jimmytheshank]

Excellent advice. There are no written notes for the N.A. flute, in ANY tribe. It all came from the heart. Nothing sounds as natural in the woods, desert,beach,mountains or canyons as the N.A. flute. Never started learned to play any instrument at all until I heard one of these flutes. Now I'm hooked for life. Wish I could help you on how to make your own Trapper.Thats my next project too in the future. But basically I wanna say that youve chosen an excellent instrument to make. I'm still a newbie to the N.A.flute, but I love it! Maybe one day,I'll make my own too. I had one made in cedar by Raymond Redfeather. Send us a soundfile when you finish yours! :thumbsup:

 

[Jumpshot]

I have a good diagram showing how to make one with hand tools that my sister's ex gave me years ago, I can post it when I find it. But it might take a while as I think it's buried in storage. I'll look for it when I have time.

I messed with my flute for a while when he gave it to me, but I never really put in the time to learn anything. Now this is making me want to pull it out and start practicing... :hmm:

 

[Birdman]

Trapper one other thing I forgot to mention, when ya make this thing don't get to critical with your measurements. Most NA flutes I've seen n talked to the makers they use their hands for the measurements, parts are the width of the thumb apart, the width of the hand from one spot to another. The measurements are kind of loose if ya understand what I'm getting at. Each flute was made by the man who wanted to play it and tuned to his ear. The most critical part is the fipple, that small separate piece ya lash on, how it sits over the hole makes all the difference in the world in how easy the flute is to play. Some you have to blow into pretty hard to get a good sound n others ya just have to hardly breath and it speaks to ya.Most NA flutes ya hear on cd's n such are in the key of F, the ones I have are in E it's a bit deeper in tone n really sings for me --Good luck n be prepared for a new addiction hee hee

 

[Jumpshot]

That's true. I've never made one, but I learned a lot about making them from my sister's ex. He's made many beautiful ones over the years. You don't need a bandsaw, lathe, router, and various power tools to make one (although some people do it that way). He uses chisels, gouges, hand sanding, etc. I think the only power tool he uses is a cordless drill for the holes.

And +1 on the positioning of the bird (first time I've heard it referred to as a fipple). Usually tied down with a piece of leather so you can alter the position.

 

[Jumpshot]

This is mine. It's one of his early ones. A simple design, but has a beautiful sound. He usually prefers cedar, but he uses other woods as well. He often uses woodburning tools to add some simple designs.

This is the case my sister made for it (she's a semi-professional artist/crafts maker). She designed it to look like an old maple log.

 

[TexiKan]

Trapper remember to that you don't have to play music that has been written down already.

I have a very nice Indian flute and the maker gave me a fingering chart with notes. However, Birdman is correct in that one does not have to know the notes to play it. And like most, simply experimenting with it produces good results. Most keyless flutes can achieve the higher register or octave with a faster breath of air. In some cases, with mine, using the 'half hole" technique will help, too. (e.g.--take the first finger on the left hand and cover only half of the first hole)

The beauty of the instrument is the tone and not necessarily a melody or recognizable song.

TexiKan

 

[Jumpshot]

You're welcome.