Native American flutes are often called courting flutes which explains one of their functions. North American Indian tribes also used the flutes to produce dance music for their ceremonies and festivals.
The tone or pitch of ancient flutes was determined by the size of the tree branch from which it was made along with the spacing of the holes. The early flutes were made from the juniper family of trees including cedar. Today flutes are made of these same woods plus cherry, redwood, ash, walnut, spruce and many exotic domestic and imported woods.
Flute music is often accompanied by Sounds from rattles and drums as it was hundreds of years ago.
The list of the Indian tribes and cultures that played the flute includes Anasazi, Apache, Arapaho, Bannock, Blackfoot, Cahuilla, Cayuga, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Comanche, Cree, Creek, Crow, Chumash, Hopi, Hualapai, Huron, Iroquois, Kakapo, Kiowa, Mojave, Navajo, Nez Perce, Ojibay, Omaha, Osage, Ottawa, Paiute, Papago, Pawnee, Pima, Seminole , Seneca, Shasta, Shawnee, Shoshone, Sioux, Taos, Tarahumara, Ute, Winnebago, Yakima, Yana, Yaqui, Yuma, Zuni and many other lesser known tribes.
Native American Flute Decorations and Designs
The unique contribution of the early Native American Flutes is the vertical block. This creates 2 separate chambers and the air leaves the first chamber and is directed into the second chamber through an external air channel under the block strapped to the top of the flute. These blocks are also known as birds or fetishes and are often designed in the shape of birds including eagles and hawks and animals including buffalo, deer, horses and turtles as well as other living animal, that was part of their living.
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In addition to wood, Native American Style Flutes have been made of metal, bone and clay. Well crafted wood flutes are made of alder, ash, elder, cedar, cottonwood, cane, elderberry, juniper, maple, pine, redwood, sumac, fir, orange, and walnut.
The fundamental or lowest key of a Native American Flute is achieved when all finger holes are completely covered. Different notes are achieved by opening and closing the finger holes in various combinations. The number of finger holes in early Native American Flutes was from none to seven. Today the most popular flutes are 5 and 6 hole styles.
Because of the enormous variety of woods, grains, aging, crafting, size, tuning, finishing and decorating, each Native American Style wood flute is a unique instrument subject to pride of crafting and ownership. Your Native American Style Flute will provide you with great joy and other benefits.
Decorative Designs Are Free Hand Drawn and Burnt On
Eric Kee's flutes are shaped and designed by hand, semi power mechanic for cutting wood. Each one is a unique expression of Eric's hands and eyes working together in the act of creation. No two flutes are exactly alike. The combination of woods are different, the shapes are subtly different and, amazingly enough, the voice of each flute. Artist creates his ideas and place it on paper and transfers the design on to the body of the flute.
Examples Of Drawings
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For More Information or Purchases Contact:
Gallery Owners: Eric or Tracy Kee
Phone: 928-639-3039
Email: deerspringflutes@gmail.com
