From the time I was very young, I was always working on some type of art project. I experimented in every medium imaginable, pencil and crayon, pen and ink, oils and acrylics, clay, stone, and finally wood. Wood carving has been a passion of mine for many years now. I have carved from wood everything imaginable, birds for competitions, sea turtles, mermaids, octopuses, a full size swan rocker for the grandbabies, and now Native American flutes. When I discovered the native American flute it wasn't something I necessarily wanted to craft and play; it was something I was meant to do.
Flight Feather Flutes began in 2001 when I was on a business trip. I had never seen a flute before and, as I walked through a small flea market, I heard the most beautiful sound. There on a table was an assortment of bamboo flutes in all sizes. On impulse and because of it's beautiful sound, I bought one. Without any instruction, I took it home to play. The flute I purchased made all kinds of sounds, unfortunately none of which were anything like the sound that attracted me when I first heard it.
After several weeks of frustration, I decided that the flute I had was not any good. I went shopping and bought a bigger, better, and more expensive flute. Alas, it would not play either so I decided that I would have to learn how to make them. I studied the work of many flute makers and players; Robert Blivens, Stephen (twohawks) Reed, John Shadowwolf, Manwolf Strahorn, Raymond Redfeather, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Dr. Richard Payne, and many more. I ordered every book and tape I could find on flutes and flute making. I finally found a book that had all of the information I needed and proceeded to carve my first flute. It turned out beautifully but would not play any better than the two I had purchased.
It was at this point that I sought out the help of the only person I knew at the time who could play a flute. I gathered all 3 of my flutes together and took them over to his house for a visit. Amazingly, all of my flutes played beautifully for him. With some instruction from him and through the grace of the creator, I began to learn to play them myself.
Today, most of my time is devoted to the art and music of the Native American flute. It's spiritual, almost surreal sound and soothing tones have become a very healing and enjoyable pastime for me. In truth, it is magic.
Flight Feather Flutes began in 2001 when I was on a business trip. I had never seen a flute before and, as I walked through a small flea market, I heard the most beautiful sound. There on a table was an assortment of bamboo flutes in all sizes. On impulse and because of it's beautiful sound, I bought one. Without any instruction, I took it home to play. The flute I purchased made all kinds of sounds, unfortunately none of which were anything like the sound that attracted me when I first heard it.
After several weeks of frustration, I decided that the flute I had was not any good. I went shopping and bought a bigger, better, and more expensive flute. Alas, it would not play either so I decided that I would have to learn how to make them. I studied the work of many flute makers and players; Robert Blivens, Stephen (twohawks) Reed, John Shadowwolf, Manwolf Strahorn, Raymond Redfeather, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Dr. Richard Payne, and many more. I ordered every book and tape I could find on flutes and flute making. I finally found a book that had all of the information I needed and proceeded to carve my first flute. It turned out beautifully but would not play any better than the two I had purchased.
It was at this point that I sought out the help of the only person I knew at the time who could play a flute. I gathered all 3 of my flutes together and took them over to his house for a visit. Amazingly, all of my flutes played beautifully for him. With some instruction from him and through the grace of the creator, I began to learn to play them myself.
Today, most of my time is devoted to the art and music of the Native American flute. It's spiritual, almost surreal sound and soothing tones have become a very healing and enjoyable pastime for me. In truth, it is magic.
