Choose Native American flutes for Indian powwows and ceremonies
Native American flutes are enjoyed and played in many cultures around the world. I have always loved native flute music for its beautiful sound quality and its ability to bring a tranquil calm to the environment where it is played. Listening to native flutes always brings back memories of my mother’s kitchen, where she would often play flute music to create a peaceful atmosphere in her home. The soothing flute music heals the soul and creates a calming effect on the spirit of all who listen to it.
If you look at the history of Indian instruments, you will realize that, like the drum, the flute plays an important role in the daily lives, ceremonies, and rituals of many American Indians. Native American flute music takes you to a place where descendants look to their ancestors for guidance and use their instruments to unite with the Great Spirit.
Flutes, in one form or another, have been around for centuries and have been a part of many tribal cultures around the world. The reflection of the flute instruments in the past shows us that they existed in the ancient tribes. The origin and design of the Native American flute is a bit more complicated to understand due to the fact that there were no written languages among the North American tribes at the time. It wasn’t until explorers documented their travels and finds that the record of the Native American flute is found in history.
You cannot assimilate the true value of native flute music until you learn that society came close to destroying this amazing art with strict assimilation rules. The 1900s brought harsh rules for Native Americans that almost succeeded in silencing their culture and people forever. Along with many other indigenous traditions, these rules stopped the development of native flute music. It was not until the middle of the century that assimilation laws began to ease and native traditions could be practiced within the tribe and in the open once more. Over the years, the prestige of the Native American flute grew to the point that flute makers began producing these instruments in large numbers to sell, and not just for personal use. The materials used to make flutes also changed from crude, undeveloped instruments to more improved ones, with the use of power tools and the ability to obtain different types of woods, plastics, and metals.
Today, there are a variety of options available when choosing a native style flute, and it’s just a matter of personal preference. There are some recommendations that you should follow when buying an instrument. There are numerous types of flutes, but they all have one of two different sound qualities. The sound style of the flute is based on whether it is a Plains style or a Woodlands style. A Plains style flute produces a buzzing sound while a Woodlands style will produce a bell tone. No matter what type of flute you buy, it’s a good idea to check the features of each individual instrument, including mouthpiece, size, shape, and number of holes, to pick the one you like best. Native American flutes also come in different types of wood, from exquisite and quite expensive woods to simple pieces of pine, cane, or bamboo.
Due to popular interest in flute music, you can now purchase Native American flutes online, at various music stores, and at specialty stores that sell Indian musical instruments and Western-style home decor accessories. If you’re looking for an instrument that’s easy to play or for decorative purposes, or you’re looking for real Indian musical instruments to use in Native ceremonies and events, consider keeping Indian culture and instruments alive with the peaceful tones of Native American flutes.