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Letters to the Editor

Dear Friends,
For more than 25 years, a group of us have been compiling a flute encyclopedia. It was originally to be published in paper format, but electronic events have overtaken us and we have all become busier too. A few months ago, in conjunction with Just Flutes, the British specialist flute shop, we decided to make available for public use what has been done so far...
From the Flute Ark Team

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Ethnic

09

Jan

2010

indeigenous-flutesIn the Native American flute community, there are three primary approaches to playing - playing from the heart, rote learning, and by reading a form of music notation called TABlature. While one may also read regular music notation using the Native American flute, TABlature is easier since the fingering system remains constant regardless of what flute key is utilized...

 

01

Jul

2009

indeigenous-flutesOne of the most popular figures in Native American mythology is Kokopelli, a demigod who is illustrated in pictographs (images that are painted or drawn on rock surfaces) and petroglyphs (images that are etched or chiseled into the surface) dating from 200 AD. Often depicted in rock art as a phallically-illustrated male, Kokopelli also manifests with a hunched back, carrying a flute, a cane, or a staff. Sometimes he is drawn with a clubbed foot. Interestingly, Kokopelli is sometimes depicted as a bug with antennae. Not all of these attributes are always present in Kokopelli illustrations.

 

01

Apr

2009

Native American flute MythologyThe Native American flute has an interesting body of mythology, with stories detailing the flute’s origination, how it was used to teach life-lessons, its role in bringing prosperity to the people and their crops, and the peoples’ responsibility to give back through the playing of the flute. There are varying versions of similar stories within tribal communities, often with details being changed to make them more relevant to the individual societal, environmental, and psychological structure.

 

01

Jan

2009

care for your native american fluteRegardless of what instrument you purchase, keeping it aesthetically beautiful and safe from potential physical hazards is paramount to its beauty and physical longevity. There is nothing worse than finding a deep scratch or a glaring dent on your instrument. After you have chosen a Native American flute from a reputable maker, attentive care of that investment is important because it is made out of wood, a natural, sensitive material. Proper care and maintenance is necessary to keep it playing its optimal best.