HeartsongsThe Healing Power of the Native

American Cedar Flute

Presented by

Christian Nielsen MT-BC

© 2003

“The Native American flute is one of the most evocative and expressive instruments in the world”

R. Carlos Nakai

~~TopicsTopics~~

• American Indian culture, music, & the fluteAmerican Indian culture, music, & the flute• Instrument basicsInstrument basics• Use of the flute as a therapeutic toolUse of the flute as a therapeutic tool

A human being is a part of the whole called by us "Universe," a A human being is a part of the whole called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest-- a thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest-- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.beauty.

-Albert Einstien-Albert Einstien

Mitokwe Oyasin = All my Relatives

"This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

Chief Seattle

Unique Properties of Unique Properties of thethe

Native American FluteNative American Flute

• Limited pitch rangeLimited pitch range• Limited number of pitchesLimited number of pitches• Unique tunings & scale patternsUnique tunings & scale patterns• Dual chamber design creates Dual chamber design creates

increased control and unique toneincreased control and unique tone

Anatomy of The Native American Anatomy of The Native American FluteFlute

Wood Flute Wood Flute MaintenanceMaintenance

•Deal with condensationDeal with condensation•Maintain finishMaintain finish•Protect from damageProtect from damage

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)• Idiomatic ornaments and cadences Idiomatic ornaments and cadences

(Nakai)(Nakai)

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)• Idiomatic ornaments and cadences Idiomatic ornaments and cadences

(Nakai)(Nakai)• Rhythmic PlayingRhythmic Playing

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)• Idiomatic ornaments and cadences Idiomatic ornaments and cadences

(Nakai)(Nakai)• Rhythmic PlayingRhythmic Playing• Arrhythmic PlayingArrhythmic Playing

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)• Idiomatic ornaments and cadences Idiomatic ornaments and cadences

(Nakai)(Nakai)• Rhythmic PlayingRhythmic Playing• Arrhythmic PlayingArrhythmic Playing

•Listening!Listening!

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)• Idiomatic ornaments and cadences Idiomatic ornaments and cadences

(Nakai)(Nakai)• Rhythmic PlayingRhythmic Playing• Arrhythmic PlayingArrhythmic Playing• Listening!Listening!• Using SilenceUsing Silence

Native Flute TechniqueNative Flute Technique

• Breath Control & SupportBreath Control & Support• Pitch Bending (crying flute)Pitch Bending (crying flute)• Idiomatic ornaments and cadences (Nakai)Idiomatic ornaments and cadences (Nakai)• Rhythmic PlayingRhythmic Playing• Arrhythmic PlayingArrhythmic Playing• Listening!Listening!• Using SilenceUsing Silence• Creating Sacred Space Internally & Creating Sacred Space Internally &

ExternallyExternally

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation• Enhance feeling of ceremonyEnhance feeling of ceremony

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation• Enhance feeling of ceremonyEnhance feeling of ceremony• Emotional Awareness and Emotional Awareness and

ExpressionExpression

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation• Enhance feeling of ceremonyEnhance feeling of ceremony• Emotional Awareness and Emotional Awareness and

ExpressionExpression• Transformative DeviceTransformative Device

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation• Enhance feeling of ceremonyEnhance feeling of ceremony• Emotional Awareness and Emotional Awareness and

ExpressionExpression• Transformative DeviceTransformative Device• MeditationMeditation

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation• Enhance feeling of ceremonyEnhance feeling of ceremony• Emotional Awareness and Emotional Awareness and

ExpressionExpression• Transformative DeviceTransformative Device• MeditationMeditation• Spiritual SupportSpiritual Support

Native American Flute as Native American Flute as TherapyTherapy

• Calming & RelaxationCalming & Relaxation• Enhance feeling of ceremonyEnhance feeling of ceremony• Emotional Awareness and ExpressionEmotional Awareness and Expression• Transformative DeviceTransformative Device• MeditationMeditation• Spiritual SupportSpiritual Support• Energize Group PlayingEnergize Group Playing