Well hello there! I hope you are here because you want to learn how to play this amazing instrument called “Native American Flute” (or NAF for short).
In that case, I have great news for you, because this is going to be a completely free and easy guide on the Native American Flute, for beginners like yourself.
Watch the Video: How to Play Native American Flute (Easy Guide for Beginners)
Get the Full Course: Learn How to Play Native American Flute
Why should you learn how to play the Native American Flute?
Because this instrument is full of emotion, soul and character. You can literally breath life into every single note, and fill the music with your expression and spirit. And you can play it for relaxing, meditation, or simply because you love its unique and warm sound.
What is a Native American Flute?
The Native American flute belongs to a family of instruments called “fipple flutes, similar to the recorder and the Irish tin whistle.
This means that the air stream goes over a block with a fixed edge that splits the air, which produces the sound.
Most Native American flutes also have a separation between the air chamber and the air splitting edge, where your air stream is directed through a moveable totem (also called block).
It has its origins in Native American culture, but have since become popular and spread all around the world, because of it’s soulful and warm sound.
Flute Types and Keys
There are several different types of Native American flutes, and all of them can come in different keys.
The most common type of Native American flute has 6 holes, a “slow air chamber”, and then a movable totem. However, there are also 5 hole versions, as well as special double and triple chamber flutes which are called “drone flutes”.
Regarding keys: I also want to point out something that makes this instrument stand out against most other open hole flutes. You see, the standard tuning of most flutes (like the Irish flute, bansuri, or tin whistle) is the major scale. On the Native American flute it is instead based on the minor scale. This is a great aspect in my opinion, since it makes playing emotionally very easy.
And just like other flute families, the Native American flute is available in a lot of different keys and ranges, from low to high. And if you get passionate about this instrument, which I hope you will…you will probably end up with more than 1 of them in the future. Because it expands your options for tone and range. But if I were to recommend a good starting flute, I would say a standard 6 hole version in the key of A is perfect for most people, since it sits in the middle range.
How do you Play a Native American Flute?
Playing the Native American flute is actually very simple at the basic level. In short, place your fingers over the holes to choose the note, and then blow air through the mouth piece.
The fipple flute design makes producing a good tone much easier, compared to a side-blown flute, since you don’t have to worry about shaping your lips and directing the air stream.
Now I like to point out one of the greatest things about the Native American flute compared to all other flutes. It has an amazing dynamic range! This is because of the design with the wide bore and slow air chamber. And this makes it wonderful for adding expression and emotion into your playing, with dynamic swells, pulses, vibrato etc.
Native American Flute Fingering Chart
Now you will learn something I find fascinating about the Native American flute. You actually have very easy cross fingerings for each note so that you can play all 12 notes of music with only 6 holes. Which is actually amazing when you think about it!
Now I would also like to point out the only real downside of this instrument. Which is that the great dynamic range and expressive nature comes with a drawback. The Native American flute can not really overblow into the 2nd octave. Which means that the note range is limited to around an octave + a few extra notes above.
Here is a standard fingering chart for a standard Native American flute with 6 holes, for every possible note in every key. So if you have a flute in the key of A, you look at the top row of notes here. Remember that the notes above the octave, so above note 13 in this chart, are “bonus notes”. They can be very tricky to play on your specific flute, and the fingering may vary depending on the flute type and design.
Adding Expression & Emotion
One of the things that makes this instrument so amazing, is the great range of dynamics, which gives you the ability to breath life, expression and emotion into every single note you play.
You can add expression and variation by shaping the attack of each note. From hard attack by pronouncing “tu” to start the note. To soft attack by using a soft syllable like “hu”. All the way to playing legato, which means to connect the notes smoothly. You do this by keeping the air stream flowing, and simply changing your fingerings.
You can then add emotion into your notes by changing the dynamics over time. You do this by blowing softer or harder. Basically you shape the “expression curve” for the duration you hold the note. You can do crescendos, diminuendos, pulses, and even vibrato.
And you can also add emotion by using your fingers to bend or slide notes. By slowly opening up or slowly covering a hole. Either completely, or partly.
As you can see, the Native American flute is amazing for its emotional and expressive possibilities.
Special Sounds & Effects
You can create special effects on the Native American flute based on either controlling your air stream, or using finger techniques.
Let me share a few great techniques you can try.
If you roll an “r” as you play a note, you can create what on wind instruments is called “flutter tongue”.
If you pulse with your fingers the on holes below the note you play, you can do finger vibrato or pulses.
Another technique is to do a short strong burst of air just at the start of a note, and then go back to normal air flow. Or start at normal, and then ramp up the air followed by a sudden stop.
Basically, you can experiment with shaping the air stream in various ways, and don’t be afraid of trying the extremes.
Tips on Playing & Practicing
I strongly believe that with every instrument you learn, you should make the journey as fun and exciting as possible.
Yes, of course you should practice playing every note, including cross fingerings. Yes, you should also practice all expressive techniques, the dynamic range and so on. Basically, you should always take time every now and then to practice a specific aspect on your instrument.
But I strongly believe that you should also spend at least as much time on simply playing your instrument for your satisfaction. This is the only way you will keep your motivation and passion for the instrument.
For example: I like to take my Native American flute with me into the forest, sit on a tree stump, and play for the birds and nature around me. It is an almost spiritual experience, and I can highly recommend you to try it out.
Congratulations and Good Luck!
If you want to learn more, I have a full course in a link below, on learning how to play the Native American flute, with all the basics plus advanced techniques for adding your expression and emotion.
I want to congratulate you for taking the first steps in learning this amazing instrument, and I wish you good luck on your journey.