How to Learn to Play the Native American Flute

Native American flutes are known for tranquil musical tones.

The Native American flute is a spiritual instrument in Native American culture and is used as an instrument for meditation and healing among tribes. The flute is noted for its tranquil tone and can be found in New Age music. Its easy fingerings and playing techniques make the Native American flute ideal for beginners who want to learn how to make tranquil music.

Things You'll Need

• Native American flute

Instructions

1. Number holes on your flute one through five or one through six, with the first hole being closest to the mouthpiece. Knowing these numbers are essential to learning the notes on your flute. There are numerous keys for Native American flutes, so you'll want a fingering chart for your specific key. You can find them online at no charge. (see Resources)

2. Place the mouthpiece of the flute between your lips and cover holes one through six. Blow gently into the mouthpiece to produce the note. This is a C for a Native American flute tuned to the key of C. Blow into the mouthpiece until you can make the C sound without it coming out wobbly or losing its tone.

3. Practice the next notes in a C Native American flute. Lift your sixth finger so that only holes one through five are covered. This is a D sharp. Practice blowing this note the same way you practiced the C.

4. Practice making the rest of the notes by gently blowing each until you can sound them clearly. Play the next note (E) by covering the first four holes, uncovering the fifth hole, and covering the sixth. Cover the first four holes for an F; cover holes one through three and hole five for an F-sharp; and cover holes one through three for a G; cover holes one, two and four for a G sharp; cover holes one and two for an A; cover holes one and three for an A sharp; cover hole one for B; cover hole three for C and uncover all holes for a C sharp.

5. Play each note with the fingerings indicated. Start slow and sound each note as smoothly as you can. Increase your speed until you can sound the notes one immediately after the other without the notes sounding weak or distorted. Aim for a pleasant, even tone for each note.

6. Apply a Native American playing technique called trilling to the notes as you play them. Trilling is a fundamental technique that gives Native American flute playing its character. With the mouthpiece between your lips, gently blow a selected note and lightly flutter your tongue against the blow hole. This alternately blocks and unblocks air, creating a trill (fluttering of the note). Try this technique on notes you hold out for several beats.

7. Play more than one note with the trilling technique. Instead of using your tongue to block and unblock the air hole, play a trill alternating between two notes by rapidly covering and uncovering holes on your flute to move quickly back and forth between two different notes. This is another sound characteristic of Native American flute playing.

Tips & Warnings

• Play as much as you can. You can find Native American flute music online at no charge. (See Resources) "Amazing Grace" is a good beginner's song that can help you get used to making the notes on your flute to create a melody.

References

• Zadjik.com: Native American Flue Fingering Charts
• Walking-Spirit.com: Native American Flute Tutorials
• FluteFocus: Playing Native American Flute with Tablature

Resources

• StellarFlutes.com: Amazing Grace for Native American Flute
• Flute Tree: Native American Songbook