How to Play
The first and only rule for playing a NAF is to enjoy what you are doing – have fun!! Although most players will devote a few minutes each day to warming up by exploring fingering and breath control, the countless hours of practicing are a thing of the past for most recreational players. (When first learning to play, many of us play scales and simple exercises for about half of each session and then “noodle”, exploring what sounds good, the rest of the time.)
You will find that there are many ways to learn to play a NAF. We recommend John Vames’ book ‘The Native American Flute – Understanding the Gift’ listed under Links and Resources. In the meantime it is easy to make your own music on these flutes. Try it! Place your lips against (not over) the mouthpiece hole and breathe gently into the flute until you hear a clear tone. Now using the pads (not the tips) of the middle three fingers on each hand, seal all 6 holes and breathe into the flute again. You should hear that wonderful, mellow fundamental note. If not, check the finger seals (standing in front of a mirror can help you check the finger seals). Next try lifting one finger at a time, starting at the bottom - you’re on your way to playing a pentatonic scale.
Have fun – experiment. The Native Americans did not have written music so anything goes as long as it sounds good to you. You can play regular music but many NAF players prefer to “play from the heart” (improvise) and never learn to read music.
Ok, now you know how to make sounds on your flute let’s play your first scale.
The following diagram shows the fingering of a 6 hole NAF to play the harmonious 5 note pentatonic scale. (Penta meaning five) Just a minute, you say, “my flute has 6 holes”. The 6 hole flute has more flexibility than it’s 5 hole brother but by always covering the 4th hole from the bottom or “foot”, it plays the harmonious Minor Pentatonic Scale just like a 5 hole flute. Some beginning flute players will cover the 4th hole with a leather strap or even a piece of tape to make fingering simpler at first.
Here is the Pentatonic Scale as played on your flute:
|
 |
| Pentatonic Scale |
|
|
On the flute symbols above,
Dark = closed, Light = open
The left note is the root or fundamental note and is the key of your flute (e.g. A, G, F# or F). The right note is the same note only 1 octave higher (strangely enough, it ‘s called the “Octave note”.
Try playing up and down this scale. Get used to the sound of the notes. If a note sounds way off, it usually means one of your fingers is not sealing the tone hole properly. Don’t get discouraged; getting a good seal will quickly become instinctive.
A second cause of off notes is blowing too hard and causing the flute to jump an octave. This is particularly true on the lower notes, which are sensitive to over blow. Try this: close all finger holes and play the root note by gently breathing into the flute. Listen to the tone. Now gradually breathe a little harder until the tone suddenly jumps an octave – this is over blow. At this stage in your journey you want to regulate your breath pressure to prevent this from happening. Now do the same thing with each note up the scale. Do you see how much harder you can breathe on the higher notes? As you become more familiar with your flute, this breath regulation will be come instinctive.
Ok, now you have the basic tools to enjoy your new flute. Find a quiet, comfortable place and start to create your own soothing melodies.
Relax, enjoy, have fun!
|
|