American Flute

The current popularity of the replicas of the ancient Anasazi flute amongst members of the Native American flute community present numerous interesting challenges for the Native American flute (NAF) enthusiast. The main divergence comes from the nature of sound production of the dissimilar flutes. Traditional NAFs owe their mouthpiece structure to the European recorder or penny whistle due to the fipple which splits the air column creating the sound. As the NAF developed, a two-chamber scheme with a little air channel directing the airflow became the standard. The Anasazi flute replicas are examples of a much earlier, less technical scheme of using a mouth-guided airflow, or embouchure, as the means of sound production.

The early NAFs scale and tuning systems varied. There was a biometric method based upon boring holes corresponding to distances of respective points of the player’s hands, as well a lot of tunings much like the major scale of recorders and penny whistles. Sometime in the 1950s-70s the standardization of the pentatonic scale became the intimate sound that has attracted humans to the flute. The relative ease of sound production and delighting sound of the pentatonic scale ensures quick success for the musician and non-musician alike. In contrast, the Anasazi-style flutes require that a tone be developed by training the mouth muscles to direct the sound all over the front edge of the top of the flute. This divergence is at original difficult for some persons since sound is not mechanically formulated by simple blowing, but is invented much like blowing throughout a soda bottle. A bit of muscle memory and trial and error (and a substantial amount of practice) is necessary before a consistent sound may be obtained.

The other divergence amongst the two flutes is that the basic scale pattern of the Anasazi flute is a pentatonic major scale. That is somewhat of a simplification because by utilizing other fingerings a more plaintive, minor sound may also be produced, but the main harmonic basis of the flute is a pentatonic major. Although the two flutes are dissimilar in construction and playing technique, the two may without doubt be played together as will be discussed in a future article.

American Flute Image

American Flute Pic

American Flute Pic

American Flute Picture

Most helpful client reviews

16 of 17 persons found the following review helpful.
Plaintive, and soothing
By Dinakar Sarma
Flute hasn’t always been my favourite instrument, but in this peculiar sampler, it’s taken on a dissimilar life. The songs are very comforting and earthy, rather than (as is the case sometimes) airy and floaty. I wanted something to play in the background while I try to get myself to sleep, that would fetch me down from a long day, and relax me. This seems to fit the bill perfectly. Definitely give it a listen.

80 of 100 persons found the following review helpful.
Got this because of the cat on the cover…
By machinetwelve
I got this album because of the cat on the cover. I don’t think the cat is in truth the one playing the flute but that would be nice. I have 2 cats that would in all probability get along with the cat on the cover. But I don’t think my ferrets would get along with that cat. I like the flute and also found this comforting as a great deal of of the other reviewers said. I just purchased it so I’ve only listened to one song so far but I am sure the others are good. I want to play this music for my cats to see if the flute in it has any particular powers but I need to make sure my dogs aren’t around because they hate flute music for a great deal of reason. They prefer the juice harp over flute.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
What a SUPERB freebie!
By Mamabear Cherei
If you’ve not heard the Native American flute played before.. you’re in for a real treat! It’s a lovely combining of nature and the most haunting flute you’ve ever experienced! Be one with ALL! Download this one QUICKLY!

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