History of the Native American Flute:
Where Spirit Takes Form

Next to the drum, the most important Native American instrument is the flute. Earliest written accounts of explores and colonists often mention that the native peoples played 'flutes'. Unfortunately, these accounts do not include pictures or descriptions of these instruments. It is probable that there were many different types of flutes in use, something confirmed by archeological evidence.

Native American Flute Features Unique Design

The 'two chambered duct flute', now commonly referred to as the Native American flute, is a design unique geographically to North America. A two-chambered duct flute has a slow air chamber at the head end of the flute into which air is blown. Then, there is a duct or channel, which conducts air from this chamber to the splitting edge where part of the air is directed down into the sound chamber or bore of the flute. A solid area separates these two chambers.

Unwritten History of Native Amercan Flutes

Due to the lack of a written language, the history of the Native American Flute is not very clear. In pre-Columbian times, Native peoples preserved their history in the form of stories that were passed from generation to generation. These stories told of how the people came to be who they are and where they are, offering accounts of how they acquired different aspects of their cultural heritage. Many of the tribes expressed these stories in the form of song. Ethnologists sometimes refer to these stories "creation myths".

There are many such stories about how the flute was discovered, created, or given to Native people. A common one tells of a woodpecker, a hollow branch and the wind. Many others revolve around a young man wanting to attract the attention of a maiden.

The Hopi people have long had an organized group called a flute society. Among the Hopi, the flute is used by Flute Society members for ceremonial and healing purposes. It can be assumed that other Native American tribes had similar relationships to the flute. These ancient oral traditions usually confine the use of the flute to men, something that has changed in modern times.

Native American Flutes Today

Today, Native American flutes give pleasure to people all over the world. They are beautiful to look at, wonderful to hold, and magical to play. Native American style flutes are as satisfying for beginners as for seasoned musicians.

The Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it is played solo, along with other instruments or vocals, or with backing tracks both in Native American music and in other styles. There are two different types of Native American flute, the plains flute and the woodlands flute, each with slightly different construction.

1960s Roots Revival Centered on Native American Flute

The late 1960s saw a roots revival centered around the Native American flute, with a new wave of flutists and artisans like Doc Tate Nevaquaya and Carl Running Deer. Of special importance is R. Carlos Nakai, who has achieved mainstream renown for his mixture of the flute with New Age and ambient sounds. Mary Youngblood is the only Native American flautist to win two Grammy awards, although several others have been noted as Grammy nominees.

Notable and award winning Native American flautists include: Timothy Archambault, Charles Littleleaf, Jeff Ball, (Jeff Ball is non-Native)Douglas Blue Feather, Joseph Firecrow, Kevin Locke, Robert Mirabal, Jay Red Eagle, Robert Tree Cody, and David Atlas. A few classical composers have written for the Native American flute, including James DeMars, David Yeagley, Brent Michael Davids, and Philip Glass.

Buying Native American Flutes

Because Native American flute construction is significantly different than the construction of African, Asian or European flutes, it is now the accurate musical term for a wooden duct flute with a block whistle mechanism. As a result, any such flutes, even if they were made in Korea, can technically be sold as Native American flutes-- just like Spanish guitars that were made in Cleveland Ohio are still called "Spanish guitars." You have to look for the "made in Spain" label to find a guitar that is authentically from Spain, and you have to find an unambiguous statement that a flute is Native American made, if that is what you are looking for.

Crazy Crow Trading Post offers a wide variety of Native American style flutes, as well as flutes actually carved (and labeled as such) by Native American flute makers, such as Charles Frazier.

	Flute Songs of the Kiowa & Comanche- Indian House CD Southern Plains Contents: 13 traditional songs (including the Kiowa flag song, love songs, and Comanche hymns) Singers: Tom Mauchahty-Ware Recorded at: Hog Creek, Oklahoma, June 1, 1978 Tribe: Kiowa, Comanche Code: 4001-251-213 Price: 16.00
	Love Songs of the Lakota-Performed on Flute by Kevin Locke - Indian House CD Contents: 12 traditional Lakota love songs performed on flute by Kevin Locke Singers: Kevin Locke on flute Recorded at: Storm Mountain, Black Hills, South Dakota, September 1-2, 1982 Tribe: Lakota Sioux Code: 4001-431-513 Price: 16.00
	Traditional & Contemporary Indian Flute of Tom Ware - Vol 2 Cassette CLOSEOUT - No longer made in this media Available as cassette & CD Code: 4004-505-1 Price: 14.95
	Traditional Flute - Vol. 1 - Fernando Cellicion Cassette CLOSEOUT - No longer made in this media Available as cassette only Fernando Cellicion is an internationally renowned Native flute player, singer, performer and recording artist. He is a member of the Zuni Tribe and lives in the Pueblo of Zuni in the state of New Mexico. He is also the director of The Cellicion Traditional Zuni Dancers. Code: 4004-506-003 Price: 6.95
	Traditional Flute - Vol. 2 - Fernando Cellicion Cassette CLOSEOUT - No longer made in this media Available as cassette only Pueblo & Gospel Hymns Fernando Cellicion is an internationally renowned Native flute player, singer, performer and recording artist. He is a member of the Zuni Tribe and lives in the Pueblo of Zuni in the state of New Mexico. He is also the director of The Cellicion Traditional Zuni Dancers. Code: 4004-506-103 Price: 6.95
	Paiute Flute Songs - Martineau Indian Sounds is proud to present Shanan Martineau and her exquisite style of Native American flute playing. Shanan is the daughter of LaVan Martineau, a renowned author of several books about petroglyphs. She is an accomplished dancer, having traveled across the United States and Canada participating in many traditional powwows. She is also an accomplished beadworker and quillworker. "Little Sun in the Blue Sky - Paiute Flute Songs" includes 15 songs and has a total running time of 55:42. Code: 4004-506-613 Price: 14.95
	The Flute Music Book - Daniel Chazanoff Flute Music books by Daniel Chazanoff - Each volume features detailed sheet music for each song. SC Code: 4106-004-074 Price: 12.00
	Trailhead Flute Manual & CD Set - Jeff Ball Instructional CD with 40-page manual covering all aspects of playing, tuning and caring for your flute, as well as a section on troubleshooting. Includes music for 8 practice songs and all details on learning to play the flute. An excellent value! Code: 4106-006-430 Price: 14.95
	The Native American Flute - Understanding the Gift (WITH CD) A CD and 90-page illustrated text combine to provide an interactive guide for learning to play a 6-hole Native American flute. It's comprehensive, covering basic notes, finger placement and breath control, various scales, and the basics of reading music notation while including 25 songs of both Indian and traditional popular culture. The author, a professional woodwind player and educator, presents six progressive lessons, each building on the skill and knowledge learned in the previous one. He also covers the flute's history and the techniques necessary to enhance the player's appreciation and mastery of this beautiful instrument. Code: 4106-007-514 Price: 30.00
	The Art of the Native American Flute R. Carlos Nakai & James Demars - Divided into several sections, this well written book is a summation of Carlos Nakai’s years as an educator, performer and student of the Native American flute. Covering everything from tuning, fingering, style, history and even a section on care and maintenance of the flute. Also included are numerous transcriptions of songs from Nakai’s recordings. This book is an important source on the Native American flute and a concise review of the career and artistry of one of the most important ethnic artists in America. 132 pp: heavily illus. SC Code: 4106-009-130 Price: 19.95
	Flute Shop - A Guide to Crafting the Native American Flute - R.A. Wolf Flute Shop is the best and most complete source of information we've seen for crafting the Native American style flute. Covers every angle and aspect of making flutes: history, materials, tools, tuning charts, patterns for every part, resources, etc. This book also gives instructions on how to make five other types of Native American Indian flutes. This book is an absolute must for beginning flute-makers and expert flute crafters alike. 109 pp. Code: 4114-001-256 Price: 21.00
	Native American Love Flute Kit Make your own custome Native American Love Flute Also known as a "courting flute", this kit provides everything you need to make a truly unique Native American Love Flute. Cut from aromatic cedar, this kit includes: two flute halves "birdie" sinew leather lace reed material sandpaper loon head pre-form assembly instructions Legend of the Native American Love Flute People listen to and play the Native American flute for any number of reasons: reflection, meditation, relaxation, even prayer. According to the Lakota Legend of the Flute, this was not the intended purpose. The "love flute," according to legend, was originally an instrument of courting. The legend speaks of a young man, while hunting in the forest, came upon a tree which had been eaten away by termites and pecked with holes by woodpeckers. As the wind stirred, a beautiful sound came from its branches. The young man removed a branch and returned to his village. This branch would become the first flute. As an instrument of courting, the flute was played only by men. It was believed that when a young man played his flute, the wind would carry the song into the heart of his chosen love. Read Lakota Love Flute Legend Today, Native American flutes are used for many reasons besides courting, and more and more woman are making and playing flutes as well. Code: 4333-012-902 Price: 27.50
	Native American Flute Bag with Fringe Keep your Native American flute free from scratches and dings with this nifty leather flute bag. Measuring 24" in length and fringed down one side, each bag is completely hand-made from cow or buckskin. Assorted earth-tone colors. Code: 4524-211-001 Price: 16.95
	Drumstick & Flute Bags - 3 Band Broadcloth This item is pictured on the left in the above image. Everyone needs a nice carrying bag for drumsticks or a flute, so we've designed a great new line of premium quality, handmade wool bags in 4 handsome styles. Choose from 3-Band Broadcloth, Fine Wool Cloth with Pendleton Blanket Appliqued Designs, Full Pendleton Blanket Design Material, or Rainbow Selvedge Broadcloth. Approximately 36" long and 5" wide, they will comfortably hold up to 5 drumsticks or 2 flutes. Code: 4524-316-001 Price: 30.00
	Drumstick & Flute Bags - Rainbow Selvedge Broadcloth This item is pictured on the right in the above image. Everyone needs a nice carrying bag for drumsticks or a flute, so we've designed a great new line of premium quality, handmade wool bags in 4 handsome styles. Choose from 3-Band Broadcloth, Fine Wool Cloth with Pendleton Blanket Appliqued Designs, Full Pendleton Blanket Design Material, or Rainbow Selvedge Broadcloth. Approximately 36" long and 5" wide, they will comfortably hold up to 5 drumsticks or 2 flutes. Code: 4524-316-004 Price: 37.50
	Native American Style Cedar Flute Kit Now you can have the enjoyment of constructing your own Native American style "Love Flute" and adding your own distinctive finishing touches. The kit includes everything necessary to make a finished flute. 21" long. Kit includes: 2 pre-hollowed flute halves 2 leather thongs reed material preshaped volume control simulated sinew 2 brass spots illustrated instructions Code: 4833-012-900 Price: 18.95
	Cedar Native American Style Flute Kit, Pre-Drilled Holes Now you can have the enjoyment of constructing your own Native American style “Love Flute” and adding your own distinctive finishing touches. The kit includes everything necessary to make a finished flute. 21" long. Kit includes: 2 pre-hollowed & pre-drilled flute halves 2 leather thongs reed material preshaped volume control simulated sinew 2 brass spots illustrated instructions Code: 4833-012-901 Price: 22.50
	Traveling Flute For a near-indestructible flute, this is the ticket! It's made of PVC, but don't let that fool you. This 5-hole, 16" x 1" OD instrument is produced in a Native scale in concert pitch and can be played with other instruments, plus it has a lovely wood-like sound, complete with harmonics. Take this one on the road when you don't want to risk damaging your expensive Native American flute, and enjoy making quality music. Code: 6510-010-001 Price: 19.95
	Woodpecker River Cane Native American Flute Made by Native American flute craftsman Charles Frazier, these wonderful Native American flutes are fashioned from real river cane. Each flute is personally tuned and ready for use. The plain 6-hole river cane flute is approximately 22" long. The woodpecker flute, approximately 24.5" long, is hand-painted and adorned with feathers and cones to give it that individual appeal. Code: 6510-011-101 Price: 85.00
	Deluxe Native American Plains Style Flute, Black Walnut Native American black walnut gives this flute fine tones as well as making a beautiful display piece for your home, tipi, or office. You’ll find these Native American style flutes to be fine examples of the flute maker’s art pleasing to the ear as well as the eye! 23" long. Code: 6510-012-001 Price: Regular Price: $99.00 Sale Price: $85.00
	Deluxe Native American Flute - Plains Style, Black Maple Native American maple gives these Native American style flutes fine tones as well as making a beautiful display piece for your home, tipi, or office. You’ll find these fine examples of the flute maker’s art pleasing to the ear as well as the eye! 23" long. Code: 6510-012-002 Price: Regular Price: $85.00 Sale Price: $99.00
	Bamboo Flute A high quality flute produced for use as a dance whistle. This is the very best quality on the market. 5/8” diameter, 12” long. Code: 6510-012-800 Price: 3.60
	Engraved Cedar Native American Flutes - Treble, with Flute Book Treble, size: 20” x 1-1/8” - Our standard size, with the typical musical range of a love flute. Key: One Octave above Middle “C”. Also includes Chazanoff Flute Music Book (4106-004-074). We are proud to introduce our new line of engraved Native American style flutes. Each flute is carved from aromatic cedar to give an optimum playing sound. All come with etched designs around holes. Three tones available to give you the exact sound you prefer. Enjoy these skillfully hand-crafted Native American style flutes. All sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-012-901 Price: 75.00
	Native American Flute- Crane Head, Aromatic Cedar Native American aromatic red cedar gives this flute fine tones as well as making a beautiful display piece for your home, tipi, or office. You’ll find this fine example of the Native American flute maker’s art pleasing to the ear as well as the eye! The crane and eagle head model is available in cedar. 23-24" long. Code: 6510-013-003 Price: Regular Price: $99.00 Sale Price: $85.00
	Engraved Cedar Native American Flutes - Treble Treble, size: 20” x 1-1/8” - Our standard size, with the typical musical range of a love flute. Key: One Octave above Middle “C”. We are proud to introduce our new line of engraved Native American style flutes. Each is carved from aromatic cedar to give an optimum playing sound. All come with etched designs around holes. Three tones available to give you the exact sound you prefer. Enjoy these skillfully hand-crafted Native American style flutes. All flute sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-014-001 Price: Regular Price: $66.00 Sale Price: $60.00
	Engraved Cedar Native American Flutes - Bass Bass, size: 23” x 1-1/4” – Slightly longer and larger diameter size, producing a lower range of notes. Key: Middle "C". We are proud to introduce our new line of engraved Native American style flutes. Each is carved from aromatic cedar to give an optimum playing sound. All come with etched designs around holes. Three tones available to give you the exact sound you prefer. Enjoy these skillfully hand-crafted Native American style flutes. All sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-014-002 Price: Regular Price: $84.00 Sale Price: $76.00
	Engraved Cedar Native American Flutes - Deep Bass Deep Bass, size 27” x 1-3/8” – Extra length and larger diameter give this Native American style flute the lowest range of deep, haunting tones. We are proud to introduce our new line of engraved Native American flutes. Each is carved from aromatic cedar to give an optimum playing sound. All come with etched designs around holes. Three tones available to give you the exact sound you prefer. Enjoy these skillfully hand-crafted Indian flutes. All sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-014-003 Price: Regular Price: $94.00 Sale Price: $85.00
	Deluxe Native American Flute - Eagle Head, Aromatic Cedar 20"-21" Native American black walnut gives these Native American style flutes fine tones as well as making a beautiful display piece for your home, tipi, or office. You’ll find these fine examples of the flute maker’s art pleasing to the ear as well as the eye! 20-21" long. Code: 6510-015-001 Price: 125.00
	Native American Flutes - Crazy Crow Instructional Booklet Code: I0098 Price: 2.95