Native Flute History
Traditional Native Flutes are known by several names,the most common being love flutes,or courting flutes,As the name suggests,they were flutes played in courting rituals-by young men serenading his intended bride. Generally they were played for no other reason ,although some men are known to have played them for their wives as a sign of love.
Like many other parts of native culture the flute was not allowed by the government in most parts of the United States for a period of time. Some elders on rural reservations kept the tradition alive and people like Dr. Richard Payne helped to reintroduce it to native societies.
The come back of the native flute began in the early 1900's in the Southwest,and started to grow rapidly in the 1960's .The native flute is now widely accepted in most part of North America.The native flute is so advanced that very little changes have been made to it in the last 150 years.
Like many other parts of native culture the flute was not allowed by the government in most parts of the United States for a period of time. Some elders on rural reservations kept the tradition alive and people like Dr. Richard Payne helped to reintroduce it to native societies.
The come back of the native flute began in the early 1900's in the Southwest,and started to grow rapidly in the 1960's .The native flute is now widely accepted in most part of North America.The native flute is so advanced that very little changes have been made to it in the last 150 years.
My Flutes
My Flutes are made a from a variety of woods both domestic as well as some choice exotic .I use only natural materials in the construction of my flutes the wood, leather & crushed gemstone inlays.
For flute tuning I use a Korg CA-30 ,cleartune and Syaku 8 program .My flutes are tuned to specific keys under ideal temperature and humidity conditions.
Please note : Wooden flutes are susceptible to varying temperature and humidity conditions which will affect whether it will play slightly flat or sharp for this reason I cannot guarantee a flute is concert tuned .
For flute tuning I use a Korg CA-30 ,cleartune and Syaku 8 program .My flutes are tuned to specific keys under ideal temperature and humidity conditions.
Please note : Wooden flutes are susceptible to varying temperature and humidity conditions which will affect whether it will play slightly flat or sharp for this reason I cannot guarantee a flute is concert tuned .
Flute Tunings
Flutes tuned to Verdi 432Hz
What I have learned
All modern music played is tuned to A 440 Hz this standard was officially adopted world wide in 1953 by ISO ( International Standards Organization }. The A440 tuning was the recommendation of Nazi party spokesman Joseph Goebbels in 1939
Prior the the adoption of A 440Hz music and musical instruments were tuned to A 432 Hz going back back to ancient times .
So why A 432Hz ?
A 432 Hz is the natural "keynote" in the universe,432hz Natural Tuning has profound effects on consciousness and also on the cellular level of our bodies.
By tuning musical instruments to 432 hertz instead of 440 hertz, your atoms and DNA starts to resonate in harmony with the PHI spiral of nature.
440hz concert pitch is centered in the mind whereas 432hz concert pitch is centered in the heart.
What I have learned
All modern music played is tuned to A 440 Hz this standard was officially adopted world wide in 1953 by ISO ( International Standards Organization }. The A440 tuning was the recommendation of Nazi party spokesman Joseph Goebbels in 1939
Prior the the adoption of A 440Hz music and musical instruments were tuned to A 432 Hz going back back to ancient times .
So why A 432Hz ?
A 432 Hz is the natural "keynote" in the universe,432hz Natural Tuning has profound effects on consciousness and also on the cellular level of our bodies.
By tuning musical instruments to 432 hertz instead of 440 hertz, your atoms and DNA starts to resonate in harmony with the PHI spiral of nature.
440hz concert pitch is centered in the mind whereas 432hz concert pitch is centered in the heart.
Flute Care
Removing the moisture from your Native American Flute periodically while you are playing and when you stop playing is VERY important to the continued health of your flute.
Finished Playing or Flute is "Wetted Out"
Don't let your flute remain soggy on the inside. A flute that cracks or splits apart at the seams happens because humidity-induced stresses in the wood occur when the inside of your flute is wet and the outside is dry. Never play a flute continuously longer than 15-20 minutes. Always take breaks, wipe out the flue area and fling the moisture out of your flute. If your flue gets soggy, stop playing your flute and let it dry. Remove the block and let the flute air dry.
Moisture Problem Symptoms
After continuously playing for about 15 minutes, you will notice your flute will raise in pitch, be harder to blow, and loose some of it's clarity. This is because you have filled up the flue area with moisture from your breath. You need to wipe off your flue area and fling out the moisture.
Wipe Out the Flue
Loosen the ties on your flute, and slide back the block or remove it. Use a piece of non-lint cotton to wipe off the flue area.
FLUTE CARE DO’S AND DON’TS
DO keep your flute in a soft bag (such as fleece, wool, or any soft material). This keeps the flute warm, prevents dings, keeps out dust, and keeps out nesting insects and spiders.
DON’T leave your flute in a hot car, near a heater, or in a sunny window, as it will likely crack or split apart.
DON’T play your flute immediately after drinking any hot beverage (hot tea, hot coffee, hot chocolate, etc.); you are in danger of cracking your flute!
DON’T play your flute immediately after eating chips, crackers, etc. The first chamber will be filled with oil and food particles.
DO remove the bird (block, saddle, fetish) if you have watered out the flute and let it dry overnight .
DON’T play your flute outside on a extremely cold day your hot breath could crack the wood .
Finished Playing or Flute is "Wetted Out"
Don't let your flute remain soggy on the inside. A flute that cracks or splits apart at the seams happens because humidity-induced stresses in the wood occur when the inside of your flute is wet and the outside is dry. Never play a flute continuously longer than 15-20 minutes. Always take breaks, wipe out the flue area and fling the moisture out of your flute. If your flue gets soggy, stop playing your flute and let it dry. Remove the block and let the flute air dry.
Moisture Problem Symptoms
After continuously playing for about 15 minutes, you will notice your flute will raise in pitch, be harder to blow, and loose some of it's clarity. This is because you have filled up the flue area with moisture from your breath. You need to wipe off your flue area and fling out the moisture.
Wipe Out the Flue
Loosen the ties on your flute, and slide back the block or remove it. Use a piece of non-lint cotton to wipe off the flue area.
FLUTE CARE DO’S AND DON’TS
DO keep your flute in a soft bag (such as fleece, wool, or any soft material). This keeps the flute warm, prevents dings, keeps out dust, and keeps out nesting insects and spiders.
DON’T leave your flute in a hot car, near a heater, or in a sunny window, as it will likely crack or split apart.
DON’T play your flute immediately after drinking any hot beverage (hot tea, hot coffee, hot chocolate, etc.); you are in danger of cracking your flute!
DON’T play your flute immediately after eating chips, crackers, etc. The first chamber will be filled with oil and food particles.
DO remove the bird (block, saddle, fetish) if you have watered out the flute and let it dry overnight .
DON’T play your flute outside on a extremely cold day your hot breath could crack the wood .