Video/photo montage of Canyon de Chelly Arizona on Navajo land and Zion Canyon Utah set to Native American Flute music by Randy Granger. I hope you enjoy it. It was really beautiful there. Camped there on my way to Zion Canyon Native flute festival 2008.
Learn how to listen for music and why it is important to you as a Native American flute player withexpert music training tips in this free online instrument instruction video clip. Expert: Werner John Contact: www.woodflutes.com Bio: Werner John has been playing wooden flutes for over forty years, and he has produced his own music. Werner also creates and sells his Native American style flutes all over the Northeastern US. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
“Dream Warrior” is from the film “The Blood Cries Out” which was nominated Best Long Form Music Video in the 2007 Native American Music Awards. Photography is by Edward S. Curtis. The music is composed and performed by Ronald Roybal. Ronald is a six-time Native American Music Award Nominee who makes his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “The Blood Cries Out” is 51 minutes in length and contains 10 music videos. Visit www.ronaldroybal.com for information on how to buy a high resolution copy of …
“Evening Song” is from the film “The Blood Cries Out” which was nominated Best Long Form Music Video in the 2007 Native American Music Awards. Photography is by Edward S. Curtis. The music is composed and performed by Ronald Roybal. Ronald is a six-time Native American Music Award Nominee who makes his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “The Blood Cries Out” is 51 minutes in length and contains 10 music videos. Visit www.ronaldroybal.com for information on how to buy a high resolution copy of …
The turn of the 20th century saw an unfortunate period of attempts to assimilate most Native American peoples into mainstream America. The Indians were faced with incredibly harsh assimilation rules and there was further relocation as treaties and reservations were illegally modified. Simple survival as a people and as individuals became forefront in the activities of Native Americans, especially during the 1930s and 1940s. As a result, many cultural aspects were forbidden or prohibited and their practice went “underground.”
Beginning in the late 1940s, as assimilation rules began to disappear, the flute tradition was among the cultural aspects that began to resurface. Native flute players increased and gained some prominence. Belo Cozad (Kiowa), Dan Red Buffalo (Lakota), Dick Foolbull (Lakota), George Watchetaker (Comanche), Abel Big Bow (Kiowa), Woodrow Haney (Seminole), and Doc Tate Nevaquaya (Comanche), among others, reacquainted both natives and non-natives alike with the native flute. Non-natives, such as Dr. Richard Payne, Thurlow Lieurance and Vernon McNeal also played a significant role the revitalization of the flute tradition.
The 1970s marked the beginning of the period when flute makers shifted from primarily making flutes for their own use to primarily making flutes in quantity for use by others. Many began deriving, at least partially, their livelihood from their work.
The renaissance of the native flute was still in its infancy and only a relatively few makers emerged during the 1970s. Some learned their craft from relatives in previous generations. Hawk Littlejohn (who actually began making flutes in the 1950s), and Tim Spotted Wolf learned from their Grandfathers, while Sonny Nevaquaya learned from his father, Doc Tate. Others met Dr. Payne and discovered his wealth of knowledge, including Dr. Oliver Jones and Michael Graham Allen. Many turned to historic flutes for their inspiration including Raven Charles King and Arnold Richardson. And there were a number that taught themselves, including Carl Running Deer, Zacciah Blackburn and Lew Paxton Price. The early 1980s added a few more makers including Lakota George Estes and Ken Light.
The 1980s saw the emergence of two influences that had a dramatic impact on flute making. The first was R. Carlos Nakai, who has become perhaps the most prominent player in modern times. He not only influenced countless people to take up the instrument as players, but also quite a number of people to make them. His impact became most apparent in the early 1990s. The second was the release of a dozen books by Lew Paxton Price, covering every facet of constructing native flutes. They have become the foremost reference on the subject and many contemporary makers consider his books an important influence in their work.
This period also saw the introduction of numerous innovations in the crafting of native flutes. Power tools began to supplement hand tools to in some cases improve precision work and reduce crafting time. Makers began using more than cedars, cane and bamboo. Flutes were made in a wide variety of softwoods and hardwoods as well as domestic and foreign exotic woods. Plastic and metal tubes also found their way into flute making.
A significant modification to emerge at this time was the carving of the flue into the block directly, thus creating a style that needed no nest/roost. This has become a standard feature on what is now referred to as the “Plains” flute, or what should perhaps be called the “Contemporary Plains” flute.
Other innovations included the use of Western music tunings, such as pentatonic minor, diatonic and chromatic major. This led to the introduction of over two octaves of keys that flutes were tuned to. Multiple tone chamber flutes (usually referred to as drones or dual-chambered) began appearing as well as double bass designs (those of Michael Allen) that required additional mouthpiece fixtures.
As the 20th century drew to a close, flute makers offering their flutes to the public numbered over one hundred. There is indeed a receptive market. Professional and amateur players now number in the upper hundreds, flute circles have sprung up nation-wide and internationally, web-clubs and list servers abound on the internet, and hospitals and other service centers are recognizing the benefits of flute music.
Flute making, as well as flute playing, has crossed all cultural bounds and has ensured the flute tradition will survive well into the 21 century.
Zadjik Productions. âModern Times History.â Native American Flutes. 27 Aug. 2009 [http://www.zadjik.com/flutes/].
“Sacred Mountain” is from the film “The Blood Cries Out” which was nominated Best Long Form Music Video in the 2007 Native American Music Awards. Photography is by Edward S. Curtis. The music is composed and performed by Ronald Roybal. Ronald is a six-time Native American Music Award Nominee who makes his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “The Blood Cries Out” is 51 minutes in length and contains 10 music videos. Visit www.ronaldroybal.com for information on how to buy a high resolution copy of …
Ronald Roybal performs for a group of Road Scholar participants who are visiting Santa Fe. Visit www.ronaldroybal.com for more information on his music.
Native Americans – Music: Pan Flute by renown Romanian Gheorghe Zamfir; Pan Flute Love & Peace
Native American flutes are extremely popular for use in ceremonies and rituals, or as home decor collection pieces. I have always enjoyed Native flute music for its pleasing sound quality and ability to bring a tranquil calm to the atmosphere where it is played. Hearing Native flutes always reminds me of my mother’s kitchen where she often had flute music playing to bring a peaceful calm to her home. The mesmerizing flute music revives the soul and brings about a calming affect on the spirit of all who hear it.
If you look at the history of Indian instruments, you will realize that along with the drum, the flute has a big role in the daily lives, festivities and traditions of many Indigenous people. Native American flute music takes you on a spiritual journey where generations look to their forefathers to lead them, and use their instruments to connect them with the spiritual world.
Flutes in one form or another have existed for hundreds of years and have been part of many Tribes and cultures around the world. The research of flute instruments in history shows us that they did exist in ancient cultures. The origin and design of the Native American flute is a little more difficult to research due to the fact that there were no written languages among North American Tribes at that time. It wasn’t until travelers documented their discoveries, that record of the Native American flute is found in history.
You can’t take in the true value of Native flute music until you realize that society came close to crushing this amazing art from with severe assimilation rules. The 1900’s brought with it harsh rules for Native Americans that almost succeeded to forever silence their culture and people. Along with many other Indigenous traditions, these rules stopped the dispersion of Native flute music. It wasn’t until the mid-1900’s that assimilation laws started to decrease and Native traditions were able to be practiced within the Tribe and out in the open once again.
Over time, the prestige of the Native American flute flourished to the point that flute makers began producing these instruments in large numbers to sell, and not just for personal playing purposes. The materials used to make the flutes also advanced from undeveloped crude instruments to more refined, with the use of power tools and the ability to find various types of woods, plastics and metals.
Now days, there are a variety of choices available when choosing a Native style flute, and it is just a matter of personal opinion. There are some recommendations you should keep in mind though when buying an instrument. There are various styles of flutes, but all have one of two different sound qualities. The sound tone of the flute is based on whether it is a Plains style or a Woodlands style. A Plains style flute produces a buzz type sound while a Woodlands style will produce a bell sound.
No matter which sound style of flute you buy, it is essential to check the characteristics of that specific instrument, including the mouthpiece, size, shape and number of holes, in order to find one that is right for you. Native American flutes also come in many different types of wood ranging from exotic, rather expensive woods, to simple pieces of pine, cane or bamboo.
Thanks to the general enjoyment of flute music, you can conveniently buy Native American flutes online, in various music stores, and in decor shops that sell Indian musical instruments and southwest home decorating accessories. If you are looking for a simple instrument to learn to play, or are looking for real Indian musical instruments for playing in Indian powwows and ceremonies, consider keeping the culture and instruments of American Indians alive with the peaceful harmony of Native American flutes.
Native American flutes are among the most favored Indian musical instruments of all time. I have always enjoyed Native flute music for its beautiful sound quality and ability to bring a tranquil calm to the environment where it is played.
Hearing Native flutes always bring back memories of my mother’s kitchen where she often had flute music playing to create a tranquil environment in her home. The soothing flute music revives the soul and produces a calming affect on the spirit of all who listen.
If you take a look at the history of Indian musical instruments, you will see that along with the drum, the flute plays a meaningful role in the daily lives, ceremonies and cultures of many Indian people. Native American flute music takes you on a spiritual journey where generations look to their ancestors to lead them, and use their instruments to connect them with the Great Spirit.
Flutes of various kinds have been around for centuries and have been part of many Indigenous Tribes around the world. The study of flute instruments in history shows us that they did exist in ancient cultures.
The origin and design of the Native American flute is a little harder to trace due to the fact that North American Tribes did not have written languages. It wasn’t until travelers documented their travels and findings, that record of the Native American flute is noted.
You can’t take in the true worth of Native flute music until you see that society came close to destroying this incredible art with rigid assimilation rules. The 1900’s brought with it tough rules for Native Americans that almost succeeded to suffocate their culture and people.
Along with many other Native Indian traditions, these rules strangled the advancement of Native flute music. It wasn’t until the middle of the century that assimilation laws started to change and Native traditions were able to be practiced within the Tribe and in public once again.
Over time, the regard for the Native American flute grew to the point that flute makers began generating these instruments in large numbers to sell, and not just for personal use. The materials used to make the flutes also shifted from undeveloped crude instruments to more sophisticated, with the use of modern power tools and the ability to find different kinds of woods, plastics and metals.
These days, there are many options available when deciding on a Native style flute, and it is just a matter of personal preference. There are a few recommendations you should keep in mind though when choosing an instrument.
There are numerous types of flutes, but all have one of two different sound styles. The sound quality of the flute depends on whether it is a Plains style or a Woodlands style. A Plains style flute will produce a buzz type sound while a Woodlands style produces a bell tone.
No matter which sound style of flute you choose, it is essential to look over the quality and characteristics of that individual instrument, including the mouthpiece, size, shape and number of holes, in order to choose one that is right for you. Native American flutes also come in many different types of wood ranging from lavish, rather pricey woods, to basic pieces of pine, cane or bamboo.
Thanks to the widespread interest in flute music, you can conveniently buy Native American flutes online, in some music stores, and in decor shops that sell Indian musical instruments and southwestern home decorating accessories.
If you are searching for a simple instrument to learn to play, or are searching for real Indian musical instruments for playing in Indian powwows and ceremonies, consider keeping the beautiful customs and instruments of Indian people alive with the tranquil tones of Native American flutes.