Starting your journey with the Native American flute can be thrilling yet confusing with many options on the market. I’ll help you choose the right native American flute to develop your skills and enjoy a rewarding musical experience.
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The Best Native American Flute for Beginners
Let’s look at these in more detail.
The Basic A is ideal for beginners. It’s a small flute, about 21 1/2″ long, with a bore of 7/8″. The finger holes are at least 1″ apart, with the first hole around 9 3/4″ from the mouth end. Each Basic A flute is unique, and its color may vary from online images.
Yet, Basic A comes with the highest quality cedar. It’s very affordable, so you don’t need to break the bank. It also features a sealed design, inside and out, to prevent cracking from moisture. A concert-quality 440 tuning characterizes it.
The Basic G Native American Flute is a popular choice. It’s small and comfortable to play, with a low, soft, and soothing sound. Perfect for beginners and experienced musicians alike. Made from high-quality, unstained western red cedar, it boasts a warm brown color and excellent craftsmanship. This flute is a standout with its beautiful finish and sound quality.
The fingering holes of the Stellar Basic are separated by 1 1/8″ from center to center. The mouth end is about 10 1/8″ from the first finger hole. This instrument is very affordable and sealed both inside and outside with four waterproof varnish coatings. It also includes a carrying case and an instructional booklet.
If you want a flute made from authentic pine wood, choose a Jonah Thompson Flute. Handcrafted by Navajo artist Jonah Thompson, it features an intricate eagle totem wind block design. It measures about 18 inches long with six holes in the A minor key.
Of course, this flute is an excellent choice for beginners who want to learn flute playing basics. It has well-placed finger holes that are close to each other, making it perfect for children, women, and those with small hands. It also includes a woven bag and a songbook.
Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Consider When Buying a Native American Flute
High Spirits Flutes sound decent, but you might enjoy Southern Cross Flutes more. These flutes feature an ergonomic design and can be customized. If you’re looking for the best Native American flutes for beginners, consider these key factors:
1) Size and Keys
If you’re starting to play the flute, consider its size and keys. Flutes come in different keys. For instance, the Love Flute is available in A or G keys. Alternatively, you can choose flutes in lower keys like F#, F, or E.
Consider the size when choosing a beginner’s flute. A bigger flute requires more finger stretching, so it’s better to start with a smaller one. However, bigger flutes produce a richer sound.
2) Look for Good Wood Materials
Flutes come in various materials. If you’re shopping for the best flutes, you’ll often choose among different wooden types. Cedar wood is ideal. It’s lightweight, making it easy to handle. It also absorbs moisture well.
Moreover, it provides a soft and mellow tone. If you want a clear and bright tone, go for the walnut. You have many choices. Depending on your preference, opt for a soft-sounding flute or bright-sounding wood.
If you choose big flutes, opt for lightweight wood to avoid tiring your hand while playing. Many tonewoods are available for making wooden flutes.
Flutes are often made from high-density woods like African Blackwood, Boxwood, Amazon Rosewood, Mopane, and Tulipwood. Choose your wood type based on your playing needs.
3) Consider Your Experience Level
Your playing skill could be beginner, intermediate, or advanced. If you’re a beginner, you’ll play basic pieces and work on foundational skills. You need easier-to-handle flutes, avoiding large ones that are hard to manage.
Once you’re ready to move to the intermediate level, you’ll need to build on your foundational skills and expand your abilities. Typically, beginners spend up to three years playing the flute. Intermediate players continue from their third year until they reach advanced proficiency. At the advanced level, the focus shifts to achieving specific musical goals.
Additional Tips for Newbie Native American Flute Players
If you’re a first-time flute player, you might find playing the flute challenging. You may feel uneasy as you try to position your fingers on the holes. This is a common feeling for beginners. However, these basic tips for beginner Native American Flute players can help:
Selecting a Native Flute you’ll find comfortable is crucial. It should make learning easy and smooth. Additionally, it needs an ergonomic design for effortless note playing.
2. Learning to play the Native Flute is easier than other melodic instruments. You don’t need prior music knowledge to understand its basics.
3. When choosing a flute, listen to its sound. Pick the one that resonates well with you.
4. Once you master playing one Native Flute, you can easily switch to another.
5. You can easily switch to the flute if you already play another wind instrument.
The type of wood used for the flute greatly affects its sound. Cedar, for example, creates a soft and mellow tone. Walnut, on the other hand, produces a clear and bright sound.
Conclusion
The flute is one of the oldest musical instruments and comes in various designs and materials. The Native American flute, available in the market, is easy to play and has a melodic sound. Knowing a few essential factors helps you find the best Native American flute.
Hold the Native American flute in front of you to play. It has two chambers for sound and breath. You breathe on one end, so it doesn’t need an embouchure. Different tribes may call it by various names.