A few nights back Tyghre and I were idling in the den. I was reading, he was browsing on the computer, and the TV was on a cable channel that swaps between community TV programming and something called the Classical Arts Showcase, which we enjoy very much (CAS does clips of old movies, symphonies, jazz, dance, choral works, etc..) That night was community programming, and we weren’t paying much attention.
Then I heard a whistle, and of course I put down the book. It was a half hour on Native American whistles, and it was FASCINATING! The whistle makers don’t tune to a specific frequency. The whistle/flute length is based on the length of their arm, the distance to the top tone hole is based on the width of their hand, and the other tone holes are (if I recall) based on the width of two fingers. The bell note is adjusted to whatever sounds proper by boring 4 holes at the far end, the four directions, and modifying them until it sounds ‘right.’
The bore of the whistle is also far different from the simple conical or cylindrical chamber, ending in the fetish that is bound to the top of the fipple region and directs the air across the blade. I missed out on much of this part of the discussion.
The result of this organic method of making an instrument is that each instrument is utterly unique, tuned to its player, and not meant for ensemble playing. One of the players said that you can find two whistles that can play together pleasantly, but never three. Too many dissonances.
After enjoying this program, I went back to my book, and Tyghre surfed through some programs before coming back to the same community channel. Now there was a program on the Zephyr trains…TYGHRE’s primary hobby! Can’t say I listened to much of THAT, but I found it very weird that this little nothing station had two programs devoted to aspects of our particular hobbies!
Anyone here have/play a Native American Flute/Whistle?
I have one that a Cherokee flute player/maker (Mark Barefoot) made. It wasn’t custom-made for me, bought at a powwow/fair, but I play it sometimes. Mark said you play what’s in your heart, so I’m not aware of any techniques since Native American music is an aural tradition. The flute is beautiful, made of cedar, and you can still smell where he bored the cedar out with a lava rock. It has a beautiful bird carved on the top. Sometimes I just take it out and sniff it!
Anyone here have/play a Native American Flute/Whistle?
Not yet, but your timing is excellent. Last night I ordered a book from http://www.southwestindianfoundation.com by Carlos Nakai called Native American Flute Book. It has sections on fingerings, notation, performance technique, care and history of the flutes and 18 transcriptions of songs.
Blackhawk,
I once saw Carlos Nakai in concert, and in a particular piece he played on a tiny whistle made out of eagle bone,I think. Very high pitched as you can imagine. He called the piece the eagle’s cry.
I also had a very low native flute but the “non” pitch made it hard to play regular tunes…this was before my involvement with irish music and I guess inconsciously I was looking for a low whistle all along. Anyway, I gave away that native flute. Too bad now when I think of it. I guess I was young and foolish then..
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On 2002-06-13 11:27, Otter wrote:
Blackhawk,
I once saw Carlos Nakai in concert, and in a particular piece he played on a tiny whistle made out of eagle bone,I think. Very high pitched as you can imagine. He called the piece the eagle’s cry.
***I would have loved to see that! Where did you see him, Otter?
I also had a very low native flute but the “non” pitch made it hard to play regular tunes…this was before my involvement with irish music and I guess inconsciously I was looking for a low whistle all along. Anyway, I gave away that native flute. Too bad now when I think of it. I guess I was young and foolish then..
***Yeah, live and learn. I wish I could do it all again, knowing what I know now (I know, I’m the first person to ever say that). Too soon old, too late smart.
I recently went on vacation to Santa Fe, and Taos, New Mexico and had the “pleasure” of trying several Native American flutes of the 6 hole variety. Naturally, the tourist junk played like, well, junk. Some of it didn’t play at all.
Unfortunately, the several high-end flutes I tried (+$200 in “nice” shops) had some beautifully finished wood and decorations, but also played like tourist junk. A few of the “finest” would have that haunting melodic sound for the bottom 2 or 3 notes, then the tone would thin out to a dull asthmatic whisper on the top few notes. I never found a really good one.
Previous threads have mentioned some good reliable makers, but I’d be quite wary of ordering one unless a maker has been recommended by someone on the board.
Globe abuts the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and every year they present a holiday called Apache Jii Day, they have all kinds of Indian instruments played and for sale; from drums, sticks, and other percussion instruments, through N/A flutes. They use a lovely drum that looks very much like a bodhran and is played with the hands or a cushioned beater, but I’ve never seen one of those for sale. The flutes run from $25 on up. I thought the next Apache Jii day I would look seriously for a nice flute. It would be fun to just “hang around” with it, musically.
On 2002-06-13 15:15, Kendra wrote:
Globe abuts the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and every year they present a holiday called Apache Jii Day, they have all kinds of Indian instruments played and for sale; from drums, sticks, and other percussion instruments, through N/A flutes.
When is the next one, Kendra? I’ve been thinking of taking in the Southwest, Canyon de Chelly, etc, and it would be cool to include something like Apache Jii Day.
On 2002-06-13 11:27, Otter wrote:
Blackhawk,
I once saw Carlos Nakai in concert, and in a particular piece he played on a tiny whistle made out of eagle bone,I think. Very high pitched as you can imagine. He called the piece the eagle’s cry.
***I would have loved to see that! Where did you see him, Otter?
I saw him years ago in the Chicago area. At some time during the show he changed into his full ceremonial Indian costume with feather head piece to play some sacred piece. I forgot if the piece played with the eagle bone whistle was one of those, but it probably was since Eagles are regarded as such powerful, majestic and wise spirits.
Now, how do eagles die I don’t know but if their way of mating is an indication of the way they live, it’s gotta be pretty intense.
..all this to lead you to a favorite saying of mine, not very majestic but wise nevertheless :
“Eagles may fly high but Otters never get sucked into jet engines”
Blackhawk - Unfortunately, the next one isn’t until October - that’s when they are usually held. Most of the musicians are from nations other than Apache, actually. The Apache use percussion instruments and dance for musical expression. When are you planning your trip? Maybe I can find something either in AZ or NM.
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On 2002-06-14 00:54, Kendra wrote:
Blackhawk - Unfortunately, the next one isn’t until October - that’s when they are usually held.
****Actually that might be good. It’ll be cooler in October, and it’ll give me some time to save up vacation days (I spent two weeks in Ireland in April). When you hear of the date, put it in a thread here, ok Kendra? Thanks!
Most of the musicians are from nations other than Apache, actually. The Apache use percussion instruments and dance for musical expression.
***That’d be cool, though, seeing lots of different styles according to their culture.
