Thanks for the new category, Geoffrey.

I don't know how many of us here, coordinate a circle, but since I am doing that, I thought it might be nice to have some ideas and suggestions from folks, about what they like or don't like about flute circles (not being critical of any circles), what they think would be nice that's currently missing from their circles, etc.

Seems to me anyway, that members don't offer a lot of input, and I thought this might be a good vehicle to do that, for those willing to share and suggest. (Maybe it is more comfortable to share with those outside your own circle.)

Might help some of us (me in particular), look at what kinds of activities people prefer most, what special activities they might like to see, how much time they think is ideal for a meeting, and all that sort of thing, they might not tell me in person, for whatever reason.

Recognizing that a lot of folks may not even think about this, I just thought it might be nice to give it a whirl, and see where it leads. Coordinating a circle is a lot of work, and I for one, like to feel that it is appreciated by the members, so I want to try to offer the members what they seek, from the circle, and not just have it be all my own ideas......as what I think folks like and want, may not be at all accurate.

So......if you have some things to share.....please do.

Thanks for the opener Rick, I am sure that the members of your Circle are fortunate to have someone so passionate to co-ordinate things. Like everything, witout one or two folks to step up and take the lead, nothing happens.......

We have a great local circle with some equally passionate folks and some fantastic performers. I learn something at each and every meeting. For every experienced Fluter that enjoys performing there are likely several that just play for themselves (me included) .

For some reason we have seem to have gotten away from playing in rounds. To me that is one of the best, non-imtimidating ways to play with and in front of others. Put a rythem CD on, Have the leader kick it off with some little improv and pass to the next player in the circle.......
Ed

You might like to know, that while we don't necessarily go around the circle, per se, that we instituted an "ensemble" approach to playing at our circle, with others joining in with rattles, drums, guitars, or whatever they have, and that has proven to be something people have enjoyed a lot.

I am trying out a "theme" approach, each month, to try and give it some focus, each month, and it seems to be working well. We had holiday and winter songs in December, Irish songs in March, and we are doing a "Tribute to Pueblo Peoples" in May, for example.

keep your thinking cap on, and pass on any other ideas or thoughts you have. This is a great resource for ideas, and I need all the help I can get.

I'm glad this subject came up. I've been trying for nearly a year without luck to revive the Central Illinois Native American Flute Circle which disbanded before I started playing or ever knew of its existence. I've been in email contact with the guy who headed it, but so far to no avail. He said he'd like to get it going again, but every time I talk to him he just tells me he's looking for a place to meet. I'm not sensing a lot of enthusiasm.

Now I'm half thinking I might just start my own circle, even though I have had no mentor and no direct experience with flute circles. I don't even know any other players. Since he's listed by INAFA as the contact person, is it my place to try to step in? Any suggestions?

An alternative, I guess, is to drive two hours to the St. Louis Flute Circle. Mark Holland heads that one.

Hey Paul.You might find your two hour drive,is not always worth your time.I've learned more on this site than I ever did in St.Louis.Don't expect mark to be at the flute meetings.I've been to four or five and mark was only at the one that was a yearly pot luck.The average turn out for me was three or four fluties.Just thought you should know before you drive all that way.In Spirit,knighthawk.

Thanks, Knighthawk, good to know. There's also a circle two hours from me in the other direction, north of Peoria. The contact person there is Randy Starnes. Of course there are several circles in the Chicago area, but that's closer to a four hour drive for me. It's kind of frustrating to have all these circles around me but not really close to me...even more frustrating to have had one right in my backyard that's defunct.

I do learn a lot from this site, but I also think I would gain from sharing and performing in a semi-public setting.

Paul...I feel for ya, I have NO ONE in my area either. The main thing is : if it is something you enjoy, then., Start a new circle in your area "plant the seed, and it will grow".

I dont even know anyone that owns a flute,however, there are several people in my area that wants to buy one, and start a local circle, all I did was plant the seed...
Good luck...

Paul,

The closest flute circle to me is about 2 hours, too. With all the work I have to do for grad school, that makes it pretty hard for me to go.

My suggestion, for what it's worth: DON'T try to revive the old circle. If you get it going, people are going to associate it with whatever happened in the past. And it doesn't sound like the contact person is that excited about it. You'd have to work through him.

SO ... start your own. Give it a name and start spreading the word. Even if you don't find old fluties you might generate interest from folks who don't even know about it. Make fliers and put them in stores or on college campusues near you. You might encourage a whole new generation to start playing the flute!!

If others hear you playing yours and find out how easy it is ...

Just my two cents worth as someone who has dealt with church folks and school folks a lot in groups. Dead wood sometimes carries diseases ... if you know what I mean. And I'm NOT talking about flute wood!!

Go for it! You've got tons of support and knowledgable people here to help!

Paul, the advice offered is the right advice. If the existing circle is not active, then you need to question why, however. That might help you avoid pitfalls. There must be a reason why the circle did not remain viable, and that reason might be important to know.

My recommendation is, before starting your own circle, find out from the INAFA rep of the old circle, what happened. Be persistant. Find out if it was because they didn't have a regular, or adequate meeting place (an important thing to have), whether there simply wasn't enough interest, whether the meeting times were too inconvenient for people to meet (for me, a weekday night is NOT doable, as large city traffic gridlock would keep anyone from getting there!), or specifically where the problems were.

You can't fix something, if you don't know what needs to be fixed!

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Those of you who are in circles, how often do you meet? How long? Where (someone's house, church, other)? How many members do you typically have? Do you pay dues, bring treats, etc.?

-Monthly, +/- and flexible

-1-1/2 - 2 hrs max.

-Various places, including Coffe Shop, Scenic outdoor spots, members homes, coincide location with a related event.

-As few as 3-4 and as many as twenty

-No Dues

-Light refreshments, coffee

Paul.Something else to think about is,St.Louis has about 40 members and like I said most meetings we only had five or six show.It seem to me that the meetings had no direction to spark interest,just stand around listen to a few play,stand around,play a little more.The meetings were always in the same boring place.The potluck meeting was a great time,Mark was there and there was at least fifteen others .Maybe thats the key,to find new places to play.I think where we live is hard to find cool places to play and it's hard to keep the interest up,because thier are so few of us.here's an idea.Looks like all we have is us,so we could still get together when we can and go from there.In Spirit,knighthawk.

You know, you might have something there. Actually I just returned from Benald this morning on an errand...forgot you live near there. What are we, about 45 minutes apart? Mid point must be somewhere around Litchfield--nothing too cool there, but I'm open to a trip to Cahokia Mounds. Never been but was planning a trip soon. PM me if you're interested.

That's an important observation, knighthawk.

Greybeard's circle, which I am closest to but have been unable to get to yet, has had workshops and sometimes plays for different functions (such as a museum exhibit). Sounds like they have a good variety and things are planned.

Our meeting place had been in a former parsonage at a Unitarian church. They have a construction project going, that will tear it down, so.....we just moved to the offices of a charitable group that maintains a lake recreation area in Dallas, where we have been hosted by a member. (Located in a nice shopping center.)

At one time, we met in parks, homes, etc., but the regular meeting place, at a regular time (Sat. 5-9 pm), worked well for us, in getting people there, and having participation. What Knighthawk described, began to happen over time, and we tried putting in the ensemble playing approach, and that was popular. Now we are using the theme to focus the playing each month. (Previously, the playing effort was directed at trying to jam, with multiple flutes, which simply didn't work as well, although we still get duets, in the playing program.)

We usually have around 20-25 in attendance, but we have had as many as 40, at a given meeting. There is a new flute circle in Ft. Worth, so they took a few members, but several others go to both.

Our playing program is 2 hrs. of the 4 hrs. we meet. We have food / snacks, visit, vending of flutes and other stuff, in addition to our playing program. We have had 2 full day educational oriented flute events, with vendors, concert, etc. in the last 18 mos. We also sponsored one local concert with Mark Holland here.......but we got Friday night, and attendance wasn't great, again due to gridlock.

We have one recording artist who performs frequently in the area, and a few less prominent ones who have made CD's.

We have seven vendor members, but only one has been there almost every month. Two are not close, so they come infrequently, and 2 others just come now and again, and the other 2 rarely come to circle, but they do other larger events locally.

I have recently been providing some free basic private lessons to help people get past the frustration point, and be confident they can learn to play, before passing them on to our local performer for lessons on a higher level. That has been reasonably helpful. (Eventually I will do that for a specific time, then charge a reasonable fee, after that.)

I have been doing some fund raising, and have managed to put almost $1600. into savings, for future activities.

We also have an annual flute retreat (although we skipped last year), in the immediate area, which is a 3 day event, that while not tied directly to the flute circle, is put on by a member, who has connections to the local community college system, and provides for a nice event in the immediate area. (It is patterned after RNAF, I believe, although I can't afford to attend RNAF, personally.)

That's about the sum of our circle's activities and local tie-ins.

Greybeard, is yours the Asheboro circle?

Folks;
I am a member of the Northern California Flute circle. I am sure it is the Nation's largest and second oldest. It was founded by Lew Price and Mary Youngblood. It was really organized and taken to the next level by Bob Bellus. Bob had many resources and has a Masters in music. He was an outstanding teacher and player. He passed down his knowledge to the next generation of players/ circle leaders such as myself. He came to Modesto a few years back and helped us start a clan here where I live. His best advise was to be consistent with the meetings. We must have 200 members over the entire geographic area but my clan has about 12-15 regular attendees and another 15-20 that come every great once in awhile. We have several larger events throughout the year and then each clan has their own meetings and activities. We have had 10-12 at a meeting and as few as three but we always meet.
One way to grow is to get out and play. Have some fliers or cards and invite others to come join in. We have a website so folks can contact the circle leaders in their areas.

Our circle meets for two hours on Sunday afternoon in my home once per month except December and we have become like a family. We go out of our way to make new folks feel welcome. We usually have a snack in the middle of the meeting.This helps facilitate mingling and the social aspects of getting together. Folks like coming to my home due to the vast array of flutes to see and play. I always have a mic and sound system set up. We come to play. We always open with sharing of new flutes. Heck there always seems to be a new one that someone brings. Mark is right some of us need to seek therapy. Folks can play these flutes to see how they like various makers and keys. We often then play in a round. We all use the same key flute playing the fundamental (this creates a drone affect) and then we take turns playing the melody, if you want to pass then you just nod to the person next to you. This is a good icbreaker. Boy poorly tuned flutes will really stand out in this excercise we have found. We try ot use our resources. One time was had a percussionist come in and we played along. Another we invited an hammered dulcimer player to join us. Lately we have had a key boardist play with us. Just loves the flute circle as it forces her to improvise. She can play all the classics from the score but this aspect is foreign to her.
We all like to bring our"toys" drums, rattles, wind machines, rain sticks et al. Another good icebreaker is to have some one wo is new play a shaker with the music. We offer chances to play at the mic and often enjoy duets. Hardly a circle goes by that we don't do some duets.
We have had larger events locally with the help of the circle,like having in Mark Holland or Vince Redhouse. Mary is nearby and so we ususally go to Sacramento where she support s the circle or clan there with regular attendance. At this months circle wide gathering, trying to do one per quarter, Scott August will be performing. We offer workshops of various kinds etc. So these are some of the things we do. I will try to add other comments as I think of them and have the time. Of course in our circle folks are free to meet with any of the clans and often folks will come and visit us. More to follow!?

Hey Paul,Seems like we need to move in with Rick or Noisy Bear.It sounds like they have some great flute circle's.I think Carlinville might be closer to the mid point for us.Litchfield is only ten minutes away for me,c-ville is about half hour.In Spirit,knightawk.

Greybeard's is in Raleigh. I am only an hour from the Asheboro area. I need to check that circle out. Got any info on it?

Rick,
No, it is the Neuse River Flute Circle. And I must admit, I am just a participating member. We have some very dedicated folks that keep it going. Here is a link to our website so those interested can get an idea of our meeting content, ect:

http://www.neuseriverflutecircle.com/

Once in a while we will team up with another circle for an event, Usually the Carolina's Circle, I know you are familiar with that bunch Rick. We haven't done anything with the Asheboro bunch to my knowledge.

All in All the people that I have met through the Flute are some of the warmest and most welcoming you could ask for. So far it has been a wonderful journey.
Ed

Tootie, the Carolinas Circle pulls from a fairly large area and sometimes meets up closer to you. You ought to join thier discussion group. I know that you are bashful when it comes to posting but if nothing else to keep tabs on events in the area.

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/CarolinasFluteCircle/

Greybeard,

Thanks for the info (and for the laugh!).

I will try to come out of my shell and post more often!

Ok, Greybeard, at least now I can associate your location with you. I knew about the circle there, in Raleigh, just wasn't sure which one you were in.

Tootie, you can find the Asheboro circle on the INAFA web site. I have been rather curious about it, as no one from the CFC ever mentions it, or anyone from it. Yet everyone else from NC and SC is on CFC. Just curious.

I have had a flutie from NC and one from SC, visit me here in DFW, as well as that Potomac circle member, Angel Cruz (who has been laying low lately.)

Spent some time with Lee Entrekin at ME, and visited the CFC circle, a couple of years ago, while up there visiting family in Hendersonville. We are coming up again in September, and hope to at least visit with Lee, while we are there, and depending on his moving situation, maybe Bob Child. Don't expect it to coincide with a meeting again. The last time was just plain luck.

I'm a fairly active member of the Oklahoma Native American Flute Circle in Norman, OK.

We meet monthly on the first Friday of the month. Our meeting place is a Native American art gallery (The Jacobson House) just off the University of Oklahoma campus.

It's about a 100 mile round trip for me but I manage to make 9 or 10 per year.

We probably average 15 to 20 per month; players and makers.

We usually do go around the circle with everyone getting a chance to play and show off thier newest "toys".

On of the fun themes we had was "first flute" night where everyone was encouraged to brig the first flute the got and tell a little about haw they got "hooked"

The Indiana flute circle meets once per month. The third Sunday of each month. We are lucky enough to have a room for free to use at the University of Indianapolis. One of the players works there..

There are from 5-12 people on up that attend. At special events we have had 20 to 30 show up.

Our format is very open. There are a couple of microphones out. if you want to play, step up and play.
We do have an informal leader who brings a small PA. He also plays his flutes, guitar and sometimes a saxophone(very talented). It's a comfortable gathering. No real formalities, just be nice to each other. there is also a piano available, although not always in tune.

If anyone wants to attend, there is a gathering this Sunday. 12 noon Room 115 DeHaan center, University of Indianapolis. Unfortunately, I have to work so I won't be there..

Jeff

Hey Paul.If we formed a flute circle what could we call it if there is only two of us?Just the two of us circle?two guys in a circle,stand by me circle,two guy's with wood circle,look at me look at you?HA HA HA HA.What do you think?

I'd shy away from two guys with wood But I'm definitely interested in getting something going. I've got about two weeks plus final exams to finish up at school (we teachers are usually pretty busy this time of year). Then let's get our minds and flutes together and see what we can come up with.

I bet if you two guy's with woo...ahhh flutes went some place public like a green /park on a nice sunny spring day you would generate interest.

Until about 5 years ago I never new flute circles existed...

Sounds good Paul.I'll ok it with the boss and we will get together and do something.

Rick,
This is a great topic. Dan Ricketts posted an earlier reply outlining the origins and organization of the Northern California Flute. We've been fortunate to have several large metropolitan areas connected by rural communities here in Northern California. Dan Ricketts, Bob Bellus and I all shared a common goal when we initiated the 'clan' system for our flutes circle so many years ago. It's really a "franchise model" in which the over arching organization helps to support the regional 'clans' with marketing. I've retired from running a regional clan (when I moved out of the SF bay area) to running the broader flute circle organization. I run the website, memberships, etc, and support the local leaders with ideas and coordination when we want to bring an artist into the region (like Mark Holland) for a tour. (If there are any artists reading this, we'de be happy to help organize a house concert tour for you through No Cal..).

I'll post more articles on ideas for running a flute circle. I thought that I'd start by posting a set of Duet Exercises that I created to help encourage folks (of any level) to play together at a circle. I start beginners at the first level: "Echo Canyon" and have them grow from there.

This information is free to use, copy and distribute at your flute circles. But it comes with a Creative Commons copyright license: If you chose to republish these exercises in any format, you're free to do so, you simply need to give me credit and the document which you publish has to adopt the same Creative Commons copyright!

Enjoy!

I wanted to announce another opportunity: For any of you planning to come to the Yosemite Flute Festival in September, we're planning to have a "Circle of Circles" breakfast on Sunday morning of the event. This event will be for Flute Circle leaders to come, get to know each other and exchange ideas. Stay tuned for more info on this concept.

-Mike

Thanks, Mike. Great information.

Thanks, Mike I will look that over, and see how I might use it.

Something we have also started doing.

We bring backing track CD's to the flute circle. It's a lot easier to get something going when you have a backing track.

One of the things to keep in mind when forming a flute circle is to get the word out. When my friend and I started our Windsongs Flute Circle here in northern Maryland, we contacted the local paper, used a cable TV public bulletin board channel, tacked up fliers, posted messages in Yahoo e-groups, things like that.

Yes, it takes a bit of work. We also get the word out by using a tool we call a 'drive-by fluting', which is where we just show up in some public place and start playing. We've done open houses at local museums, company picnics, things like that. It generates a lot of interest when people see you out there with your flutes and having fun.

We also invited the leader of the nearest flute circle to us to join our first meeting. He came up and gave us some tips and some great advice, and still shows up every couple of months to our meetings.

Windsongs is now two and a half years old, and doing well! So my advice to you is to GO FOR IT!

Wow! I am really envious of those of you who have access to flute circles. It's cool to read about all of the things going on "out there!" I've never heard of a flute circle here in Montana, and am still way too much of a newbie to ever try and organize anything like that, but who knows...maybe someday! In the meantime...if there are any other folks from Montana who know of a circle, or are interested in getting one started...let me know...
Tom

The INAFA lists one in Geraldine, Montana. Go here for contact information. Of course Montana is a big state, so I don't know how far from you it is.

Hey thanks a lot Paul! Geraldine is only about an hour or so from me...I'll definitely check it out. I'll also check out the INAFA too...looks like another good resource. Thanks again!
Tom

A reminder to folks on the forum not to neglect the Flute Portal main site: there is a searchable database (state by state) of Flute Circles around the country, along with links, contact info, etc..

We don't have all of them there, but there are 57 different circles listed so far.

Heh. A reminder to you, too, Geoffrey. I put the Yosemite event up there for you.

I started a flute circle in UK over three years ago. It's hard finding people who play flute, or even know what one is, locally to me. Often if you say you play NA flute, the response is, "Oh I love those pan pipes". Some have dropped out because they have moved, others because it was just a very long drive. I still have one or two show up every week and sometims there are 5 or 6 of us. We just meet in my home. I put on a backing track tape, one I bought and one I have done myself. They can both be used with any key flute on any track. So we go through one cd, then have a break for tea and biscuits, and listen to flute music and chat. Then I put on the other cd and we play along to that. Sometimes we play duets. We usually take it in turns to play. We have played at a few venues both private and public.
We also sometimes play for as long as we can on one breath, then the next one takes over and so on. Helps to learn to control your breathing.
Mo

Mo, keeping a circle active is always a challenge, as people are so busy in today's world, and having to find players in the UK, is not easy, I'm sure. The good news is that more and more players are coming on line from the UK all the time, and so the outlook for your circle is improving.

Hopefully, as those who have an interest, come on line, we can direct them your way, and hope some will be close enough to you, to participate in your circle.

Where could I get some backtracking CDs?
I'd like soemthing with guitar and precussion and some with just precussion, multiple keys. Thanks. Dan

Clint Goss does some backing tracks--take a look HERE. Just scroll down till you find one called NAF Tracks.

Hey Dan!

Welcome to the forum!

Glad you've joined us!

I have done a backing track cd for flute. Doesn't have guitar but does have shakers, rattles, nature sounds. A few tracks you have to use your imagination for, fishing on a riverbank, sitting on the porch of a ranchouse while a storm rumbles around hearing the sounds of the animals, sitting round a crackling campfire at night with owls hooting etc. You can find some of the tracks on
http://music.download.com and type Whiteraven into the artists search box. Free downloads:-) You can use any key flute with all the tracks. My flute circle prefer that as they don't all have a range of keys.
Mo

Just downloaded your backing track...thanks.

Isn't weekly a rather high frequency? My local circle meets once a month, which suits me. I wouldn't have time every week. Maybe you'd get more people if you met less frequently?

Victor.

Depends on where you are Victor. In some English villages, once a week would be fine, as it simply is a choice between the local pub, or the flute circle.

Of course, in a metro area, that is a different matter.

I'm in the process of putting together a flute cirlce. I could use help. I'm stuck on the idea of getting the community to support us. I'm going to write propsal letters to various music stores and lesson centers in the Tri-State area, but I'm concerned about getting people interested in the Native American Flute.

Should I just wait it out? Any ideas?