Rick, I've heard you mention a couple of times something about a spirit flute. I wonder if you or someone else could elaborate on what you mean. I have some general notions, but I'd like to hear more about identifying one.

I had Geoffrey make my spirit flute.

To me, my spirit flute is designed to represent the Holy. It is very symbolic to me. My playing it represents my connection to the Holy. Of course, there are other connections, but this is a concrete way represent that spiritual connection in my life. The spiritual aspect of life and my connection to the Holy is the most important thing to me.

Playing it can represent the Holy breathiing into me, and my breathing into the flute, and it breathing the Holy into the world. Then I can be a vessel for the Holy to use to bless others just as the flute is a vessel. My hope is that this become more and more of a reality each time I play it and that I remember the sacredness of life and my connection to the Holy.

Oh, that my whole life become sacred and reserved for the Holy.

I know Ed of Spirit of the Woods Flutes makes a carved Spirit as can be seen in his galary http://spiritofthewoodsflutes.com/html/flute_gallery.html

I think, as our dear Tootie has stated, it is representative of things beyond ourselves. I would augment in parallel that it can have different connotation for each individual. I have seen it in the context of carvings on a flute, bone, or other such items.

My wife has a "spirit carving" on a fosselized seal tooth from a carver my dad in Alasaka knows who is the grandson of the last Great Shaman in Alaska (who has artifacts in the Smithsonian). He goes into a Dream trance and then carves the Spirit into the medium he is working with. It is truely an amazing piece. One will see this process (not necessarily accomplished with such "Spiritual" workings) in a lot of totems and carvings/drawings. I think most flute makers forego the Shamanic Journeying into the upper or lower worlds, but like Ed's they are magnificant carvings!

I think in the context of flutes it is common just to have the flute, in general, that is designated for a purpose with perhaps a particular, intentional totem or other adornment that designates it to the subconcious as something extraordinary and for uses in particular.

I would like to hear other ideas on this as mine are but a piece of the greater puzzle.

I'd like to hear more, too, because I have the sense that a spirit flute is somehow set apart from other flutes in a collection. These other flutes can certainly connect me to the "holy," however each of us defines or experiences that, but I imagine it's a bit like comparing a harem to your one and only beloved.

I first became serious about the NAF after some intense visions and dreams about dragonflies, so when I got ready to order my first flute I called around to find out who could carve a dragonfly block for me. I found someone who said he could both carve and paint it--but many months later he ran into problems and admitted he couldn't complete the order. I was disappointed but figured it wasn't meant to be.

When I was at the OK flute festival in October I was drawn to a flute by Colyn that had dragonflies burned and painted on it (It's currently on his In-Stock Sold page if you want to see it). A similar, less expensive but undecorated one, was sitting next to it. Both were in the key of D. I went back and forth but finally decided I liked the tone of the undecorated one better and so passed up the dragonflies (even though money wasn't the issue at the time).

Currently I have an eagle block, a medicine bear block, a talon block, a bear claw block, and a couple more abstract designs, but no dragonflies yet. Since I'm not inclined to believe my visions and dreams were meaningless, I am inclined to believe that my spirit flute hasn't yet revealed itself to me.

More patience and humility, it seems, are required before entering the realm of the sacred and the holy. At least this is how I see it. Any thoughts? I'm anxious to hear from Rick, too, since he's the one who first mentioned the subject.

I really admire Ed's handiwork, but the spirit kind of looks like Ed to me. I'm not sure I want to play a flute and see Ed's face staring back at me.

In Native terms, a "spirit" flute, is your personal totem flute.......taken to the "extreme". Not just the block, but the entire flute carries that specific totem theme.

Mine is the Great Horned Owl, although if I had found one in any form of owl, I would have been happy.

Mine has a Great Horned Owl, sitting on a branch, on a tree trunk, as the block, and crossed GHO feathers in carved relief on one side, and a GHO in flight, (a little bit ghostly), also in relief, on the other side. It also has some decorative bands, and inlays, including my name inlaid, in front of the nest.

My wife's is the wolf, with a standing wolf block, running wolves on the side, a wolf head at the back of the block (whose eyes seem to glow), and so-on.

These are special flutes, and only extremely creative wood carvers, as well as great flute makers, can make them. There are only a few flute makers out there, who can do both the art, and the tuning, well.

These flutes represent the connection to the natural world, in a time when all creatures were inter-related.

The totems are based on the special qualities of the individual, that make them who they are, and the explanations of the types of people associated with specific totems, can be found on-line, at various native web sites. (Just google Native American totems.)

These, of course can vary, as most plains peoples have a totally different relationship with owls, than woodsland peoples. (smile) That's because woodsland peoples had a lot more owls around, than plains peoples did.

Since I am part Cherokee, from the Eastern Band (Northeastern TN), the GHO is a good totem for me. Plains people might not use an owl totem at all, due to a different association with owls.

Which reminds me.....on the topic of mixed blood......the figures I have seen, say that the Cherokee (Tsalagi) are the largest of the Nations, with about 250,000 descendants, but only 15,000 of those, are full blood, today. The Navajo (Dine'), are the 2nd largest of the Nations, today, although I do not recall the numbers on them.

Spirit flutes are simply a flute that represents your connection to Mother Earth, and all her creatures, and the totem they represent, makes a statement about who you are, as the player.

Naturally, such flutes tend to be pricey, and you must find a maker that can make what you want, at a price that you can afford, so there may need to be trade-offs in the design of the flute, vs. the cost of making it. That is also why you will be unlikely to have more than 1 true "spirit flute"........and many people may not even know of it.....because you value it highly and seldom take it anywhere.

Mine is not my most expensive flute.......a drone from Geoffrey is my most expensive flute.....but it isn't far behind, in cost, and my wife's was approx. in the same price range. (Those budget constraints, you know.)

ROLF

That was funny.

Keep your mind open on the Dragonfly thing... I have no doubt the DF has sought you out.

Thanks, Rick. You almost beat my last post.

I think I have a much greater understanding now why I couldn't just pick up a "generic" dragonfly off a table. You've also helped me understand better how to envision the flute as a whole when considering my totemic spirit, and not just as a block or a design.

Any suggestions for great carvers and tuners? PM me if you don't want to share publicly.

Thanks.

Geoffrey's flutes have great sound and if you check his website he can do burnings and artwork that are beautiful.

I am going to get him to do my second spirit flute - the kind Rick is talking about. It will have butterflies on it.

To me, I can have a flute that represents my connection to the Holy - which is a type of spirit flute to me AND a flute that represents my nature or connection to the earth - my spirit flute - butterflies. But there is a connection between these two for me. I cannot separate the spiritual from the earthly. The two really are intertwined for me. I am a part of both worlds.

Dude! :-)

Both of ours were made by Jack Thomas, in China Grove, NC. He is a master wood carver (and was before he ever started making flutes.) He learned to make flutes with some help from Hawk Littlejohn, and a lot of time and patience. His carvings (non-flute) are simply amazing. He has even done a full size carving of one of Duke University's basketball players.

While Jack is slowing down a bit (he is around 77), some of his flute creations are quite unique. Perhaps one he is most known for, as it was featured on Mac Lopez's site for a long time, was the rattlesnake flute. You would have believed it to be real, except for the blowing end and the tuning holes, it was so realistic. His 'gator flute was almost as realistic.

Recently he was commissioned to make a flute for Mary Youngblood, and he used a variation of my GHO block, but with a red-tailed hawk on a stump, on a basketweave flute body (the carving on that is mind boggling), that was very striking.

He does not have a web site, and he admits he doesn't work on flutes as much as he once did. If you would like his contact info, I have it. He is the one flute maker I have given an open-ended project to (he picks the key, and design, he would like to make for me, within my budget, and he can ask questions, but I am not to know anything about the flute, until it is done, as it is partly to be an example of his craftsmanship, he would like me to have.) I commissioned that a while back, but I'm not sure he was comfortable with it. So.....as of now, he hasn't completed it.....but.....he could be working on it, and I would not know, because of the terms of the commission.

While his tuning is just very good, and not necessarily the best out there, the combination of art and playability, is hard to top, in my view.

Hehe. Ed......I noticed that myself, at one time. Kind of like looking into the future?

Not going to any events this year, are you?

Sorry, Ed. I couldn't resist--and your response was worth it, as I nearly fell out of my chair laughing when I read it. Glad to see you're still lurking in the shadows.

Thanks, Rick. I've seen the rattlesnake and gator flutes on Mac's site...impressive, and expensive I'll bet.

Those were......mine were just sorta pricey, but not outrageous. Certainly more than standard flutes from most makers, but then there's one maker that's almost as expensive for his standard flutes......so prices are all over the place, anyway.

I have a wonderful "plain Jane" F# from Jack, in Honduras mahogany, that really talks to me also. That was very reasonably priced. He even makes a pvc slot flute, for around $45. that plays great.

So it just depends on what you want.

One of the most interesting ones he had at flute circle, was a wood flute, with an inlaid pvc fingerboard, decorated with ivy. Not your usual combination.

Jacks Flutes are incredible to look at and Jack is a true pleaseure to meet and talk to.....

Here are some pics of Jacks Work off of the Carolinas Flute Circle Site. I trust that Jack won't mind.

Imagine blowing into that Rattlers head.... The Gator is a playable Flute too....

Rick, Is that your Owl?
Ed

Amazing work...though I think I'd rather blow through the snake's other end!

Yes Ed, that is my owl. If you look close at the top right pic, you will see my name inlaid in front of the block.

I was never real fond of the thought of blowing into the rattler's mouth, myself. Might have something to do with those weeks in the Mojave. Come to think of it, I spent a lot of time in gator country too. Not real fond of them, either.

The hawk on the basketweave flute, is the one presented to Mary Youngblood. The top 2nd from left shows the basketweave carving the best.

Thanks for posting those. I was too lazy.

Is there a website where those can be purchased and/or ordered?

Nope. No web site. Remind me to send you contact info, with an email (I have flute lesson tonight, so I will be in late), and I will send it to you when I get home. All I have handy at the moment is his email. I have the rest at home. (My short term memory, is not as good as it once was, which is one thing that makes learning new stuff to play, harder for me.)

(There will be a wonderful collection of art flutes that has been set aside for income producing use in the future, in the care of Mrs. Jack, by the way.)

For now, you just have to see if he will take on a commission. As I said, he is slowing down, but no one in NC has said he has stopped working. He is just working slower. He is still very much in demand, for flutes from his friends.

If you are lucky, he might have something in a standard flute on hand. (He still makes those.) These special ones are mostly custom creations. Mine was delayed several months, when he got e coli, and was very sick for a while. Fortunately the docs fixed him up, and although it took him a while to get his strength back, he finished my flute when he got better. I was happy that he got better, whether he ever made the flute or not.

He is a very neat person to know, and count as a friend.

Here is the link to Bob Child's blog with an article and pics of Jack and some of his flutes:

http://weatherflute.blogspot.com/2007/03/y...-know-jack.html

He even has a flute that looks like a tomahawk!

That's a neat idea. It's a good way to get yourself a birthday or Christmas present and not know anything about it until it arrives. Heck! Doesn't have to be a reason for it! I like the mystery of it and the suspense and the surprise!

I might have to try that ...

Thanks for the link, Tootie. If I lived where you did I'd get to know that guy.

Paul:
For me the Native flute has no sacred aspects at all. It is a tool. Others can have their own take and that is fine. The NAF was not sacred to the native tribes either with a few exceptions. Now I have played in church many times, and of course music is a way of expression in many areas of life including the sacred. Well more on that perhaps another time. I do have throughout my collection various "commenorative" flutes. I commissioned these flutes with specific people or events in mine. One I will share here is a low D AYC flute. It has a full length paduk inlay and matching inlay in the block. Colyn made the flute for me. I had it made in memory of my Grandmother. She grew up on a farm and loved her garden. She had over 100 roses throughout her place. I never see a rose without thinking of her. Kitty burned and painted two roses the color or shade of the paduk. Funny how that flute plays especially well. Everytime I see it or play it I honor her and what she meant to me and my life. I loved those times sitting in her kitchen listening to stories while churning butter. My grandma never believed in just sitting around you see, that was fine as long as you were also doing something productive! I learned the value of hard work mostly from her! To me work is a blessing. I know it comes from a curse and most view it that way today. I always thought it was easier to roll up your sleeves and get the job done rather than trying to figure out a way not to work which ironically can be more work than just working. Oh yes it has a name " the Grandmother" flute, I sometimes refer to it as the Mable flute her name of course.

Hmmm....I appreciate a new take on this issue. We anglos I know too often romanticize native cultures. Guess I'll have to do some research. I don't mind starting new traditions, or combining traditions, but I don't want to suffer from illusions either. I really like your commemorative flute idea.

Noisy Bear,

That is probably a better description of what I am doing. My flutes represent something important to me but I don't feel like the flute itself is a sacred object. I think it is a tool to be used for the sacred.

Another Commemorative Flute:

I think this was my first. My Mom and Dad enjoyed the hobby of raising show quality canaries. They were quite successful winning a ton of trophies and awards. Sales were good.........one year Mom made enough to pay off their house! Now that is alot of feathers and well bird crap! My Dad would often win best of show with a little glouster canary, it has feathers on its head that looks like a beatle's haircut. They are really good singers. My Dad was born in Olney Texas during the oil boom of the 20's. So he always went by the moniker of "Tex". I commissioned Scott Loomis to do a glouster canary bird head flute for me. It is made of alder and really will "sing". Of course the flutes name is "Tex". I enjoy thinking about Dad when I play it. Tom Smith a native artist painted the flute and really did a nice job. Alder is a great flute wood, Scott did two for me. Don't see many makers using this wood these days and it is a nice looking wood.