Earthsong flutes

Here are some things you should know about your Earthsong flute:

The bird (or block) is the piece of wood that fits over the volume hole and channel: the only removable piece on the flute. When replacing the bird, ensure that the front lip of the bird is in line with the back of the fipple hole, leaving it uncovered (see below). Experimenting by moving it back or forward will help to achieve the right tone for you.

After periods of extended play the tone of the flute will start to sound muffled. This is caused by moisture build-up. To fix this you will need to remove the bird and wipe off excess moisture that has built up both underneath the bird and between the channel. You should also blow through the volume hole swiftly or you can hold the flute by the bottom so the mouthpiece is facing away from you and gently flick the flute with a swift downward motion to remove any excess moisture.

Wood shrinks and expands with weather conditions, and heat in particular can cause separation in the flute. Hot breath blown into a cold flute can also cause separation. The best way to warm your flute is to hold it in your hand for a short time before playing.

The correct way to hold your flute is with your left hand over the top three holes, and the right hand over the bottom three holes (see below). Traditionally the ring finger of the left hand covered the fourth hole and was not lifted while playing. This was said to symbolise marriage between the flute and its player. This should not stop you from experimenting with different fingering methods.

Earthsong Flutes - Flute Scales

These scales are provided for those people new to the Native American flute to give some broad guidance about how to proceed. We each have an expression and therefore we all have a song which reflects our spirit, emotions and experiences. To start, play up the scale and then down the scale. Be sure to cover the finger holes completely with the pads of your fingers, rather than the tips. You will soon become familiar with the sound of the notes and the placement of your fingers. Take the time to know your flute. Be patient and let it flow. The more you play your flute the more connected you will be with it. Find your peace through the flute, and then you will find your song amongst the peace. Treat your flute as you would want to be treated: with love and respect.

Fingering diagrams for three basic scales are provided for you here. Black holes represent closed holes (that is, the holes that are to be be covered with your fingers).

Minor Pentatonic Scale – this scale is comprised of only five notes. By keeping the left hand ring finger down on the fourth hole you will be able to link and combine notes harmoniously to create a song. Notice that by using the notes on this scale, whatever you play will sound like a tune. Your flute is tuned to a minor pentatonic scale and this is the scale that is commonly used.

Chromatic Scale – this scale is comprised of twelve notes and descends and ascends by semi-tones (eg. doe, re, mi, etc). This scale provides more notes than that of the pentatonic scale and therefore can be used to play a greater range of songs.

Alternative fingering – the only difference between this scale and the pentatonic scale is that the third hole is kept covered, instead of the fourth.

To learn to play your flute all you have to do is to sit quietly by yourself, quiet your mind and play what you feel. Don’t be too structured – feel and listen to your environment. Allow the spirit of the flute to play through you. Each flute is an individual: no different to us.