History of The Flute

  It is believed that the first Flute was given to us by the Great Spirit. As the story goes a woodpecker milled holes in a hollow branch. And as the wind blew through the top of the hollow branch a beautiful sound was made. Native men hearing this sound started crafting their own flutes.

  The Native American flute is considered the only indigenous instrument to North America. Origins of the instrument can be traced back about 3,000 years. The earliest evidence dated at about 300 BC to a bone whistle artifact. About 900 AD single chamber finger hole flutes began to appear. The early Hopi flute was just a single chamber flute with which was played by blowing across the top. In 1931 four in-blown, six hole flutes were discover in the Prayer Rock area of Northern Arizona. The best archeological evidence suggests that the first in-blown flutes came out of the Southwest then migrated to the Eastern US. Although many design differences, structurally the Plains flute and Woodland flutes are very similar. The plains flute uses a reed between the block and the flute body to create the air channel and sound hole. The reed is usually made of wood or brass. It is believed that another difference between the two is that the Woodland flutes use brighter colors in the design and decoration and the Plains flute uses more subtle colors as both were influenced by their surroundings.

  In time two chamber flutes were developed (believed by the Papago people). The Plains flute (two chambers) started in the Southwest, Northern Arizona as evidenced by artifacts. Red Cedar (Juniper) is the traditional wood for the flute. Cedar is considered sacred and is used in Native American rituals and ceremonies.

  You may also hear the flute referred to as the Love flute or Courting flute. The sound of the flute is usually described as mellow, haunting or considered romantic hence its original use in courting. A young man might go down to the stream and influence a visit by a young woman with his flute playing. In the early days it was believed that a man should put away his flute after he had taken a wife. Another early use of the flute was as a form of identification, as a rider approached camp he would play his unique song so other members of the tribe would know he was not an enemy. Still true today flute music is used for pleasure, relaxing and in the gathering of people.

  Until recently women were not allowed to play or touch the flute due to cultural reasons that consider this instrument sacred. Still today the native flute is seldom seen and there are very few women flute players. Although I must add, that one of my favorite Flute Players happens to be a woman.