The Traditional Uses Of The Native American Flute

Music is necessary in life. The importance of music is truly understood by the creation of Native American flutes. Highly skilled artisans create these unique musical instruments with pride and great craftsmanship.

The unique design and distinctive sound of the Native American flute has given it acclaim and fame. The Native American flute is used mainly for New Age music recordings today. Originally, the flute was used as a very personal instrument. It was used in courtships, meditation, and rituals as well as healing without any kind of accompaniment. It is used in accompaniment with other instruments or together with vocals for a dynamic type of music rather than the more personal one today. There are basically two kinds of Native American flutes. The first is the Woodland Flute and the second is the Plains flute. Each of these has its own method of being created.

Using two air chambers, the Native American flute has the acclaim of being the first kind of flute to be made in this manner. There is a wall between the top and bottom air chambers. The top chamber works like a resonator creating the distinct sound that is unique in Native American flutes. Juniper, cedar and redwood are the most common materials used in making flutes. These different types of wood are chosen for their durability as well as the nice scent they offer. Softer tones can be achieved using softer kinds of woods and crisper and richer sounds can be achieved using the harder woods.

A flute can only be called a Native American flute if it was made by an enrolled Native American or the master artisan in the United States. If the flutes were not made by the certified artisans, it would be illegal for a company or a person to nonchalantly use the word Native. This law has been included in the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

The design of the Native American flute is very distinct from the common types we see today that are lacquered and are very European in style and make. True Native American flutes are handmade and included in these are such elements of design like carved animal figures that can be included in the whole design or tied and attached at the top. You can look for this as a sign for Native American authenticity. If you want to show honor to the Native American people or take part of their cultural heritage, then this type of flute would be a good choice for you. The distinct design of the flute alone makes it a nice decoration as well as conversation piece at home. Experience the traditional culture and its soothing sounds while you enjoy the serene and distinct music of the Native American flute.