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The Native American flute has a rich history, dating back at least 2,500 years, as documented through oral tradition and pictographs on rock canyons and pueblos, including the well-known figure of Kokopelli, wielding his ever-present flute along his journey. It is believed the first flutes were made out of bamboo, since tribes set up their communities close to water sources where bamboo was readily available. These instruments were simple, with three finger holes and a slot for air delivery. As time went on, it was discovered that a hand could be freed up by covering the slot with hide. Thus, simple bamboo flutes evolved into more sophisticated instruments. In addition, tribes without bamboo became interested in the instrument and began to construct flutes from soft wood and later, hard wood. Ultimately, the flute was used for many different purposes in different tribes including courtship, meditation, signaling and in tribal ceremonies.
Of all the various uses tribes had for the flute, the best known is the one used by the Sioux Indians, whereby the Native American flute earned its nickname: the ělove flute.î According to tradition, a young brave would travel to the woods to create a flute capable of inviting Spirit to imbue the instrument with the ability to act as a messenger of his love to the object of his affection. Once the brave played the music of his heart through the love flute and his beloved was won over, the flute was retired, its purpose having been served.
Many tribes lost the art of the Native American flute during the years of government-sanctioned repression of Native American culture. Fortunately, interest in this beautiful and haunting instrument was rekindled in the 1970s, as more artists began making and playing flutes. Although women were traditionally not allowed to play the Native American flute -- since it was felt that their high-pitched voices were sufficient without instrumentation -- this tradition has changed over the years and many accomplished female Native American flute players exist today.
The beauty of the Native American ěLove Fluteî is not only the rich, haunting melody it produces, but also the fact that no musical ability is necessary in order to play it. In fact, the flute seems to respond best when used as initially intended, to play music ěfrom the heart,î freeing one from the constraints of the conscious mind.
I wish to thank my Native American brothers for creating this spiritual instrument. I also thank my Native American brothers and sisters for continuing this tradition and sharing their spiritual stories through the voice of these powerful instruments.
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