The Native American Flute has gained worldwide fame in recent years for it's distinctive sound and prominent use in New Age and World Music recordings. However, it's traditional use was originally highly personal and meditative. It was played largely without accompaniment during courtship, healing, and spiritual rituals. A common folk tale relates that the discovery of the flute occurred when people noticed the beautiful sound of the wind blowing through holes in tree branches that had been put there by the woodpecker.
Evidence suggests that the flute was originally brought to North America from Mesoamerica by way of the Ancient Pueblos. While western tribes did not take to the flute initially, Plains Indians and Eastern Woodlands tribes became proficient in it's art, and integrated it into their own musical traditions. Thus, the two major types of Native American flute are the the plains flute and woodlands flute, each with slightly different construction.
The distinguishing features of the plains flute are the external blocks used for making the whistle and the inclusion of two sound chambers:
The woodlands flute differs slightly in that the "flue" or channel between the two sound chambers is carved into the flute itself, whereas the channel on the plains flute is carved into the block, or whistle. Also, plains flutes have curved, tapered mouthpieces that fit between the lips, while woodlands flutes have large blunted mouthpieces that fit against the lips:
Native American flutes are made from a wide variety of woods. Juniper, Redwood and Cedar are popular for the nice aroma they provide. Softwoods are generally preferred by most players because of the softer tones they produce. Harder woods are also appreciated for their crisp, clear richness of sound.
___________________________________________________________________
The drum is of huge importance to traditional Native American music. With the obvious exception of vocals, it is the most universally used instrument, being the centerpiece of both sacred and secular music traditions.For powwow drums, the construction is similar in most tribes: a wooden frame or a carved and hollowed-out log, with rawhide buckskin or elk skin stretched out across the opening by sinew thongs:
Traditionally American Indian drums are large, two to three feet in diameter, and they are played communally by groups of singers who sit around them in a circle:
For smaller single-sided hand drums, a thinner frame or shell is used, and a rawhide surface is strung onto only one side, with lacing across the other:
Other types include the Iroquois water drum, a small, cup shaped vessel with water inside, and a moistened, tanned hide stretched across the top opening. The wetness and tightness of the tanned hide produce changes in pitch as the water drum is played over time:
___________________________________________________________________
Percussive instruments were also very commonly used. Rattles were the most popular, and were made from materials including bull horns:
And turtle shells:
Stringed instruments were extremely rare, the "Apache Violin", or Tsii'edo'a'tl (wood that sings) being the unique to the Southwest:
