Native American courting flute
The sound of the American Indian flute has become popular with music lovers around the globe, especially with people who are seeking calm and peace in their day. The courting flute, also known as the Cherokee love flute, has a singularly haunting quality; its soft, earthy tones hold the simple message of heartfelt emotions from the player. Anyone can make such a flute; whether it plays the way you would like it to or not is the challenge that faces the creator of this Native American musical instrument.
Instructions
1. River cane
Choose the river cane. Legend says that a young brave searched for river cane that would make the perfect Cherokee love flute to court the maiden he loved. When selecting the cane, think about the song that you would like to play and choose the cane that stands out to you. If you prefer, you can use cedar, walnut or cherry wood.
2. Cut river cane by the segments.
Cut the river cane with a sharp knife at one of the natural sections of the river cane, at least an inch in diameter. The length of 14 inches is especially good for the novice because it is easier to make a sound out of the instrument when it is neither too short, requiring more concentrated breath, or too long, requiring a more relaxed and controlled breath.
3. Burn out the center of the river cane.
Heat the rod and burn the center of the piece of river cane until you have bored a hole about ¾ inches in diameter, leaving the hard exterior shell intact. Use the narrower end of the river cane as the mouth hole.
4. Mark hole placement.
Score the outside of the courting flute in five places in a row on the same side of the flute, where the fingers of both your hands can easily reach. The longer the flute, the further apart the holes will be burnt. Start half way down from the mouth hole and place the holes at least 1/2 inch apart.
5. Cut or burn finger holes.
Burn the knife scores with the heating rod to complete opening the five small holes in the Cherokee love flute, no more than a quarter of an inch. If the cane is easy to cut with your knife, you do not have to bore them with the heating rod.
6. Native American musical instrument
Place your mouth over the mouth hole and blow gently but firmly. Adjust the tones by making the holes in the Native American musical instrument bigger if you choose.
7. Beeswax prevents air from leaking
Rub the beeswax over any cracks in the river cane to prevent the courting flute from leaking and changing the sound of the instrument.
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