I’ve always loved the beautiful, haunting sound of the Native American flute and Native American music in general. I find the sound very meditative.
Last summer while traveling in Maine, we stopped at a scenic overlook and a hiker was playing his NAF. That kind of put it in my head that maybe I would like to learn to play one myself.
Also I’m an opera singer and of course, during 2020 all performing arts were closed. So this seemed like a good time to take on something new.
Once I decided I wanted to learn, I did a bit of googling to find flutes. I found High Spirits and ordered my first flute, a Sparrow Hawk in Am.
Since September 16, 2020.
I tend to go to A. Mainly because it’s easy to pay (smallish hands). I also really like my mid E and my F#. That said, I also very much enjoy my Island bamboo flutes in high C and D.
Peace. I find the NAF to have a very peaceful sound.
That’s tough, I enjoy so many styles. I enjoy playing traditional folk tunes but also enjoy of the JL originals and arrangements of covers. I’ve also worked up a number of songs myself and notated them with the finger tabs. I also enjoy improv.
I love playing with my sister who purchased an Am flute shortly after I did. We play some duets, we will improv together, it’s a lot of fun.
Because I’m impatient and want to learn faster!
High Spirits provided some excellent online self paced lessons which I completed pretty quickly. These gave me a start. Sometime around then, I stumbled on the Jonny Lipford Music site as well as many JL youtube videos and demos. I signed up and completed the Beginning Your Journey Native Flute course. I followed this with the High and Odd Notes and Getting Unstuck courses online.
I really liked your teaching style so that is when I reached out to be added to your list of people wanting 1:1 lessons. I find that 1:1 lessons give much more attention to the finer details of playing and I improve more quickly that way. Having someone listen and advise in real time is very helpful.
I’ve also participated in a number of group workshops and masterclasses with Jonny and his colleagues. I’ve gained some valuable tips from these. I still do the online courses however and find them useful. In fact, I’m working my way through your Achieving Embellishments and Learn To Play12 Songs (from your fabulous songbook) online offerings along with my 1:1.
I think the combination of the self paced and 1:1 is perfect.
I have - the Getting Unstuck course was helpful. Suggesting different improv formats (3-2-1, call and response,etc.) has been helpful. I’m doing this w/ my drone, I've been a little stuck there and the suggestions we discussed a while back have been helpful.
Hearing you and other advanced players play!
Your YouTube music videos were stunning and your demos and flute reviews were helpful. I heard your Beyond Blue Eyes first and loved it. You seemed to have very positive and encouraging energy and I thought you would be nice to work with.
Fixing the “leftovers” when coming off of the 6th hole note. High and odd notes are more consistent after your suggestions for approaching these often tricky notes.
Also, not tonguing EVERY SINGLE note also brought nice flow to my playing.
Yes, continue to learn and incorporate embellishments consistently and accurately. Continue working on songs and improv so that both sound smooth and cohesive.
The beautiful and haunting sound!
It varies. Sometimes at my desk between client calls. I have a stand on my desk with a couple flutes at my fingertips. I do most of my practice in my family room or kitchen.
If the weather cooperates, my favorite places are anywhere in Nature. Often this is on my deck with our woods as my backdrop. I also enjoy playing while hiking. A couple weeks ago, while on a Reiki Retreat, I played in a Zen Peace Garden on the grounds.And next week, I head to Maine for a long weekend and look forward to playing by the lake!
Below: Hear Carol play out in the woods to the singing cicadas! (PS: She really loves these little creatures!!)
Learning the Native American Flute has been an element of positivity and the gift I discovered during Covid. It was a tough year with so many things closed and unavailable. So, my sister and I decided that we would support our own mental health by taking the time to learn some new things. NAF was one of these, watercolor was another. I think that even in times of great challenges, if we are lucky enough to be healthy, we can still find something wonderful. The NAF was one of these for me.
>>> Learn how you can experience growth in your Native American flute journey like Carol
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I'm frequently asked which flutes I play on various songs and after the live stream concert on March 22, I received many messages from folks asking if I had more information. Below you'll find a photo of the flutes that played during that performance as well as a list with links to the flutemakers' websites, where applicable.
Song Title |
Flute Played |
Flute Maker & Website |
1. Winds of Change |
Key: G# |
Craig Chan | Earth Song Flutes No website is available. |
2. Rhythm of the Rainhorse |
Key: F# |
Brent Haines | Woodsounds Flutes |
3. In The Misty Night |
Key: D |
George Dyson | By George Flutes |
4. Could Be |
Key: G |
Gary Kuhl | Spirit Bird Flutes gskuhl@televar.com |
5. Forgiven Memories |
Key: A |
J.P. Gomez | Heartsong Flutes |
6. Got No Worry |
Key: A# |
Randy Stenzel | Feather Ridge Flutes No website is available. |
7. Orange Dragonflies |
Key: F# |
Brady Young | 4 Wind Flutes |
8. Reaching Out |
Key: D |
George Dyson | By George Flutes |
9. Synergy |
Key: D / A |
Brady Young | 4 Wind Flutes |
10. Masked Ibis |
Key: D (NAF) Key: D (transverse) Wood: Bamboo |
Rick Svitzer | Rain Spirit Flutes https://www.rainspiritflutes.com/ Craig Noss | Fire Flutes |
11. Emerging Vision |
Key: A (triple flute) |
Odell Borg | High Spirits Flutes |
12. Dancing Stardust |
Key: F# |
J.P. Gomez | Heartsong Flutes |
Want to watch the concert and get my setlist for free? Click here to watch on Facebook.
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I’ve seen my flute collection grow tremendously over the years that I’ve been playing the Native American flute. It doesn’t just stop at Native flutes, though, I now have flutes from all over the world in my collection. Like you, my collection started with just one flute, then I somehow had seven, then more and more... Well, you know how it goes!
I know how to identify flute makers, the symbols and signs to look for, what key and tuning it is and roughly how much it’s worth based on market value. I have a mental picture and index of all my flutes in my head, but I realized that no one else in my family knows this.
My wife, Maria, and I have started the conversation no one really likes to have.
The conversation of what to do when I’m gone.
While it’s not a fun conversation to have, it is a crucial one. I often see children and family members in complete overwhelm as they struggle to deal with all the "stuff" a parent or family member leaves behind–especially when that person hasn’t kept a record of anything.
This goes beyond just having a will. It’s having a plan and documentation of your things. We may know how valuable flutes can be, but our family members look at these wooden flutes and may think that they are only about $50 each. While I have flutes in my collection that are worth $50, I have many that are worth much more!
The last thing I would want my family to deal with is someone trying to swindle a very valuable flute collection, or having my family give up and just donate my flutes to a thrift store. It is my job to put a plan into place for what happens to my flutes when I’m gone, just like it’s your job to do that with yours!
I was inspired by one of my flute friends, Jeanne Lyle, who has a binder of her flute collection with all the facts and figures written down for each flute. So, I created a template that you can download as a starting point. There are four beautiful designs to choose from.
Click on each one to open that specific design, then you'll want to either print from the browser or save to your computer!
Each design features a beautiful cover and one index sheet, which you can print off as many as you'd like!
Take an afternoon to fill out one form per flute and take a photo of each flute. Just having a list of flutes won’t help your family identify flutes as much as having a photo of exact flutes. Getting photos printed can seem like an old-school method these days, but Walgreens and Shutterfly are two companies that make it pretty seamless to get photos from your smartphone to print. If you’re looking for local pickup, I would choose Walgreens. If you’re looking to have pictures mailed to you, then I would choose Shutterfly.
Some supplies that I’d recommend?
Another benefit of doing this is having good records in case you want to sell or trade one or more of your flutes. You'll be equipped with all the details to make a deal.
Beyond just creating this index of your flute collection, it’s a good idea to figure out what you’d like to happen to your flute collection and let your family and/or lawyer know.
I realize this isn’t a necessarily fun thing to do with your flute(s), but it’s a very responsible measure to help ensure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are prepared.
Are you looking to become a more emotive flute player? Explore new ways to achieve the next level of flute playing.
]]>We are happy to report there are now hundreds of flutists playing along with the Free Spirit Ambient Pads since they launched earlier this year!
Wow! We are astounded and grateful!
I get quite a few questions on what it's like to take lessons via skype or facetime. For one, I love the flexibility that it offers. We have the ability to connect with each other over long distances; literally from anywhere in the world! Keep in mind, I work with all levels of skill with folks on their Native American flute - from very beginner all the way to extremely proficient.
While I can't speak to how other instructors do it, here's the skinny on how I go about online Native American flute lessons:
Surprisingly, I do not read music nor do I teach people how to read music for the Native American flute. I focus on technique, spirit and emotive playing.
"As a beginner on the Native American flute, after one-month of lessons under Jonny advanced my playing significantly. He doesn't offer you a cookie-cutter teaching approach, but brings his inner music creativity into the learning process. He not only reinforced the necessary basics, but quickly understood my playing abilities, and built on them with new techniques, song composition (we even wrote a song together), and expanded my own playing style. No matter what your level of playing, if you are looking for an encouraging and experienced flute instruction ... for my money, Jonny is the one!"
-Dr. Andrew Jackson | Arizona
If you think you're ready to learn some new things about your Native American flute or try playing the flute for the first time, let's do it! I'm eager to work with you! Sign up now>>
Things you'll need before our lessons:
In my version, the video demonstrates the power of artists and how in moments of incredible sadness or deep feeling, there is an opportunity to express. What does an artist see? Feel? What's behind those blue eyes? In an effort to capture the connection between emotional impact and expression, the music marries those elements and creates a foundation for this display to happen.
Download "Behind Blue Eyes" on iTunes!
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In this blog, I'll cover the flutes used on the recording of Transitions (released 2007).
Album | Song | Key | Tuning | Wood | Maker | Notes |
Transitions | Dancin Hawks | F#5 | Minor Pentatonic | Spalted Holly | Brad Young | |
Dancin Hawks | F#4 | Minor Pentatonic | Walnut | Brad Young | ||
Chosen Path | A4 | Minor Pentatonic | Maple | Randy Stenzel | ||
No Ordinary Love | C3 | Minor Pentatonic | Western Red Cedar | Brad Young | ||
Summer Nights | E4 | Minor Pentatonic | Poplar | Kuzin Bruce | Drone Flute | |
Blue Rocks | A4 | Minor Pentatonic | Maple | Randy Stenzel | ||
Could Be | F#4 | Minor Pentatonic | Walnut | Brad Young | ||
Always Forever | A4 | Major Diatonic | Alaskan Yellow Cedar | Brad Young | ||
Vanilla Skies | G3 | Minor Pentatonic | Western Red Cedar | Geoffrey Ellis | ||
Prairie Dawg | B4 | Minor Pentatonic | Walnut | Russ Wolf | ||
Essence Of Change | E5 | Minor Pentatonic | Pine | Ray Wood | ||
Essence Of Change | E4 | Minor Pentatonic | Poplar | Kuzin Bruce | Played as single and drone flute | |
Yesterday's Tomorrow | A4 | Mode 2/5 | Walnut | Leonard McGann | ||
In The Rain | A3 | Minor Pentatonic | Western Red Cedar | Brad Young |
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