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.

	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: 99.00
	Deluxe Native American Flute - Plains Style, 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: 94.00
	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 are available in cedar. 23-24" long. Code: 6510-013-003 Price: 94.00
	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
	Native American Style Cedar Flute Kit Now you can have the enjoyment of constructing your own “Love Flute” and adding your personal, distinctive finishing touches. The kit includes everything necessary to make a finished flute: 2 pre-hollowed flute halves in traditional, aromatic cedar, 2 leather thongs, reed material, pre-shaped volume control, simulated sinew & Native American Flutes booklet with illustrated assembly instructions and tips on learning how to play your flute, as described above. Kit includes: 2 pre-hollowed flute halves 2 leather thongs reed material pre-shaped volume control simulated sinew 2 brass spots illustrated instructions, NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTES Code: 4833-012-900 Price: Regular Price: $23.00 Sale Price: $20.75
	Cedar Native American Style Flute Kit, Pre-Drilled Holes Now you can have the enjoyment of constructing your own “Love Flute” and adding your personal, distinctive finishing touches. The kit includes everything necessary to make a finished flute: 2 pre-hollowed flute halves in traditional, aromatic cedar, 2 leather thongs, reed material, pre-shaped volume control, simulated sinew & Native American Flutes booklet with illustrated assembly instructions and tips on learning how to play your flute, as described above. Kit includes: 2 pre-hollowed & pre-drilled flute halves 2 leather thongs reed material pre-shaped volume control simulated sinew 2 brass spots illustrated instructions, NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTES Code: 4833-012-901 Price: Regular Price: $25.00 Sale Price: $22.50
	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. 121 pp: heavily illus. SC Code: 4106-009-130 Price: 19.95
	Engraved Cedar Indian Love Flutes - Treble Treble, size: 20” x 1-1/8” - Our standard size, with the typical musical range of a love flute. Key: "G”. We are proud to introduce our line of engraved 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 flute sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-014-001 Price: 66.00
	Engraved Cedar Indian Love Flutes - Bass Bass, size: 23” x 1-1/4” – Slightly longer and larger diameter size, producing a lower range of notes. Key: "E". We are proud to introduce our line of engraved 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 flute sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-014-002 Price: 84.00
	Engraved Cedar Indian Love Flutes - Deep Bass Deep Bass, size 27” x 1-3/8” – Extra length and larger diameter give this flute the lowest range of deep, haunting tones. Key: "D". We are proud to introduce our line of engraved 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 flute sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-014-003 Price: 94.00
	Engraved Cedar Indian Love Flute - Treble, with Flute Book Treble, size: 20” x 1-1/8” - Our standard size, with the typical musical range of a love flute. Key: “G”. Also includes Chazanoff Flute Music Book (4106-004-074). We are proud to introduce our line of engraved 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 flute sizes are approximate. Code: 6510-012-901 Price: 75.00
	Deluxe Native American Flute - Eagle Head, Aromatic Cedar 20"-21" 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 are available in cedar. 20-21" long. Code: 6510-015-001 Price: 125.00
	Native American Flutes - Crazy Crow Instructional Booklet Ten pages on learning to play the flute, with 6 traditional Lakota, Kiowa, Mandan & Zuni songs, plus illustrated instructions for flute kit assembly. Code: I0098 Price: 2.95
	Native American Courting Flute Manual & CD Set - Jeff Ball NEWLY REVISED for 2012 For learning to play and maintain your flute, this is the best instructional manual & CD available. We've teamed up with well-known recording artist Jeff Ball to produce this enhanced version of the old "Trailhead" book along with a new CD! Jeff covers all aspects of playing and caring for your flute, including the legend, getting started, melodies and advanced play, along with choosing your flute, trouble- shooting and song writing tips. Included is music for several practice songs and scales, all in an easy-to-follow format. The 40 page manual comes with an interactive CD developed exclusively to go along with it, and contains many illustrations and several color photos. Code: 4106-006-430 Price: 16.95
	The Flute Music Book - Daniel Chazanoff Flute Music books by Daniel Chazanoff - Each volume features detailed sheet music for each song, 32 pages. SC Code: 4106-004-074 Price: 12.00
	Drumstick & Flute Bags - 3 Band Broadcloth This item is pictured on the left in the above image. Carrying your drumsticks or flutes in one of our stylish, handmade bags provides both convenience and protection. This is our medium sized bag made from our 3-Band Broadcloth and holds up to 5 drumsticks or 1 flute. Size is 6" x 28". Code: 4524-316-001 Price: 30.00
	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
	Traditional & Contemporary Indian Flute of Tom Ware - Vol 2 Code: 4004-505-113 Price: 14.95
	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
	Drumstick & Flute Bags - Rainbow Selvedge Broadcloth This item is pictured on the right in the above image. Carrying your drumsticks or flutes in one of our stylish, handmade bags provides both convenience and protection. This is our large size bag made from our 100% Rainbow Selvedge Broadcloth. It will comfortably hold up to 2 flutes or 8 drumsticks, and if you're recording you can even throw in a small digital recorder or a few mini discs. Size is 8" x 28 1/2". Code: 4524-316-004 Price: 37.50
	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
	Woodpecker River Cane Native American Flute Made by Native American flute craftsman Robert Bushy, 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" long, is hand-painted and adorned with feathers and cones to give it that individual appeal. Code: 6510-011-101 Price: 65.00
	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" 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 it 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
	Native American Flute Bag with Fringe Protect your flute from scratches and dings with this nifty fringed bag. Measuring 24" in length and is completely hand-made from cowhide or buckskin. Assorted earth-tone colors. Code: 4524-211-001 Price: 17.95
	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
	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: 4833-012-902 Price: 27.50