Native American Flutes
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I love that case you made. I would love a step by step lol. Makes me want to buy the flute just to make the case. Ha ha enjoy
Maria
[quote="Susie"]
Has anyone purchased a bass tone flute or more specifically, a HS 1" bore bass tone flute?
[/quote
Yup Suzie. I have their Dm and Em 1 inch bore flutes. I love both of them but the Dm took me much longer to be able to play without squawking. I was silly and it was only my 2nd flute after the Jonah Thompson Am that I learned on...but now after 10 months of playing the NA flute I can play it just like the others. Both of mine are in Walnut as they are much more durable (and I seem to always whack my instruments onto something lol)
Good luck
Maria
Late in this discussion. I have a dulcimer made by the Walnut Valley Dulcimer Company, the 3rd one made in 1993 by L D Sacks. Mine looks like yours and is noted to be a Wildwood Mountain model. It still sounds good and has held up well all these years. It was my first mountain dulcimer. I saw the company represented at Epcot in 1991 picked up the brochure and ordered in late 1992 with delivery in 1993.
hey that's pretty cool...and yes I think they were made pretty well to last so long!! I still play mine when I have the time to "tune it" that's the only part I don't like...they slip!
Maria
I've heard good things about Old Master violin polish (not to be confused with Old Masters, a brand of polish for furniture and woodwork.) I have yet to find it locally, but will order online and give it a try.
cool Thanks!!
Maria
On my dulcimers that don't have a laquered finish, I use Howard's Feed n Wax . I learned of the product from a video by Bing Futch . It works on the body and fretboard. It won't hurt a laquered finish, but it won't be too effective either. It's easy to find at most hardware or home improvement stores.
I'll have to look into that..thanks!!
Maria
I just ordered the large hard case from high spirits with the 25 Percent off and free shipping on orders over 100 it was worth it. (I ordered three of his spiral bound music books/cd to make the 100) and I'm so exited for it to come. They say depending on the flutes it could hold about 6 flutes
take care and enjoy playing
So cool, congrats Maria!
thanks so much Susie!!
Take care
Maria
Oh that it is sooooo addicting!!
Hey I'm really excited because High Spirits tweeted about my video that I did using my HS Drone and my Synth and Kalimba!!
take care everyone!
Maria
https://twitter.com/HighSpiritFlute/status/800718055718326272
I played my sister's HS pocket flute (G, in aromatic cedar). It was a really cool little flute with a nice voice. It sounded great with the G mid-tone. Now I want one.
Then Susie, here's your perfect time to get one!! they are on sale for THIS week. 25 percent off all the flutes!
Let me know if you get one. I ordered mine!!
Take care
Maria
I remember saying this is my final flute after the second one, I am now on number ten. One in every key
Hee hee heee
its very addicting.....but it's a good addiction!!
😜
I ordered my 3rd (and likely final) Native American Flute today.
Hmmm that is one line that will be hard to keep to when speaking of Native Americam flutes It's so funny because in the dulcimer community they say "how many dulcimers do you need?" The answer : "just one more!"
hee hee
i can't wait to hear about the next and "final" one you get!!!
Congrats by the way I love my HS flutes!!
Maria
Maria
Ps and I wouldn't have been able to just grab my dulcimer or guitar that way by the time I took them out of the case and played it would have been time to leave plus for some reason when I've had my guitar out, it would have made me frustrated to only play something for such a short time I would have felt jipped instead of peaceful so it really is a Spirtual instrument!
Nice. Congrats. And how about a pic of the flute top!! Cool bag
enjoy the journey
it's true what you said about even a few minutes. Last night I had to work and I didn't get a chance to play my flutes or do anything musical all day. I had literally 5 minutes before I had to leave and I grabbed my Em flute and I played two songs and I felt really happy and peaceful. Even though it was for only a short time
I felt like my night was better because of it and I felt like I taught my students better as well!!
have fun
Maria
awesome. That's so wonderful!!! thanks for sharing and enjoy your beautiful creation!!
Maria
Sleeping angel, thank you for sharing this. I'm putting it at the top of my list of books to buy. It sounds great.
Doors just keep opening . . .
I
Oh I think you will LOVE it. I learned how to read the Nakai tab and it opened up a world of music that's available. Plus I love his voice and how he teaches. I've conversed with his wife and she was so wonderful. After I purchased the second installment and then a different book on jazz for the NA flute (also by him) she send me his cd as a gift. (I had put the book on my videos to show people where I got the music from and she gave me permission to record his songs that he wrote) and I guess she was happy that I did it etc..I was so surprised. And it's a wonderful cd. It's called Remembrance. I have it in my car and listen to it over and over!!! I wish I could have thanked him. He passed away in 2010 but his wife is keeping his memory alive and I'm so glad...
Take care
Maria
Yes, Terry, it feels that way. My first experience with a dulcimer was life-altering, too.
Congrats on the HS flute. I know exactly what you mean because I felt the same way with the dulcimer too!!
and I'm sure this will be the first of many flutes for you as well. So far I have three HS and they are all very beautiful and unique in their own way!!
enjoy and if you need a good resource besides the YouTube videos from HS their is book/cd that taught me so much and is simply amazing. It's called "understanding the gift" by the late John Vames. I could just listen to the cd all day and he not only plays the examples but gives verbal instruction and encouragement!
take care
Maria
Thanks for the feedback Maria!
You're welcome!
Maria
I thought it was called Dulcimer Aquisition Affliction -for us DAA players! I only have 3, so thanks for removing my guilt. I have a David Lynch student, a Robert Schuler JI, and (new) Ron Gibson. Robert, maybe it should be 'Feed Your Obsession??
Exactly that what we do here. "Feed each other's obsession!"
😜😝
Does anyone have a HS Condor Bass, specifically with the 1" bore?
http://highspirits.com/collections/all-flutes/products/missing-condor-bass-d-walnut
If so, impressions?
Hi Susie.
I have that exact flute. I bought it on a "whim" at a dulcimer festival in April. I had only been playing. A few weeks. It's very well made however I still struggle to play it. As the lower holes whistle especially the last one. It's like I have to purse my lips and cover all the jokes exact or it whistles. I do like the sound but it's just a bit difficult. If I had to do it again I would get a flute from Ancient Territories or from George Dyson. They both make lower toned flutes that are much easier to play.
Thats just my two cents.
Maria
I love everything about this photo. The wonderful stand, the collection of flutes, and the cute and smiling dad!
I look forward to getting my first flute soon, but I've already realized it will need companions down the road. They look so beautiful displayed together, especially in such a practical way.
That is so wonderful of you to say!
and by the way he even made that table when he was 89!!! (A few months after my mom passed in 2015 his glass table broke so I gave him the idea!) He hadn't attempted anything like that in years. As his health and my mom's took turns having issues but Thank God he seems to be in a good spot now. (I just pray it lasts ) but at 91....😔 Well I'm just grateful for every moment like this!!
thank you again
Maria
That's pretty impressive, Maria. And your dad appears very satisfied, that he made his little girl very happy.
Terry you are very intuitive!! He really was so glad that the liked it! And I think he also was happy at how it came out as well!!
thank you for noticing that!!
Maria
Monica and Strumelia....yeah, you're probably right.
We'll see where this goes. But with all my other instruments, I have plenty of other music to be made. The primary reason I wanted a stand, is so after playing, it can sit out and dry out. I can always store "dry" flutes in their bags/cases. So, the 3 place stand should work for now. I'll post a pic when it's done. Actually, he has built it already (just finished it). Now I have to do the staining and polying.
Here's a pic of the stand my 91 year old dad made me!! It holds 10 (and as you can see they are all being used!!!!) It's worse than DAD!!
Maria
You will get no sympathy here!!! I started the dulcimer only 9 months ago and I own 6 as well!!! then I developed "tendonitis" or something (which I'm having checked in two weeks) and I had to slow down on the dulcimer...well guess what I got into???? The Native American Flute...You think DAD is bad well NAFD is SO MUCH WORSE>....the reason? the flutes all come in different keys, then there's the drones and there are the ones in different "htz" oh man it's BAD. How many do I own??? well a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a flute holder that my 91 year old dad made me!!!!
Maria
Very nice, Maria!
thanks Susie!!
Great pic Maria
thanks HELEN!!
MARIA
AND YES YOU GUYS ARE FUNNY!!
@sleeping angel Maria, as a fellow crochet fan, I find crochet scarves stretch! Does your crocheted dulcimer strap not stretch too?
well here's the cool part...they do but because there's so many places to attach it to the knob it doesn't matter that some hangs over? know what I mean?
take care
Maria
I love Maria's strap.
Mine was a South American cotton belt that I bought at a festival. Very colourful.
thanks Jim! your's is cool too!! In fact I think that I remember seeing it way in the beginning of my time here and thought "that's the thinness I want!!" so you "inspired me "to re-create it in a way!!
take care
Maria
I've had really good results with my "Myer's Pick up" The owner asked to put me on his web site. I figure it couldn't hurt so here's the blurb. I bought it from amazon for about 130 dollars. I took off the "suction" cup because it just doesn't stay on the dulcimer. Once it was removed It lays flat. I've successfully used "command Strips" and they have not hurt my dulcimers. Although once I'm done recording with the pickup I immediately remove it. Don't want to take any chances!!
Here's the link if you want to hear it in action. By the way I'm not "promoting" him I just use it and think it's a good product. The owner is also very helpful and when I struggled to remove the suction cup he actually called me on the phone to walk me through it. It was a little tricky with the screws and eventually my husband had to use a special tool but off it came!
Take care and good luck!
Maria
You will get no sympathy here!!! I started the dulcimer only 9 months ago and I own 6 as well!!! then I developed "tendonitis" or something (which I'm having checked in two weeks) and I had to slow down on the dulcimer...well guess what I got into???? The Native American Flute...You think DAD is bad well NAFD is SO MUCH WORSE>....the reason? the flutes all come in different keys, then there's the drones and there are the ones in different "htz" oh man it's BAD. How many do I own??? well a picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a flute holder that my 91 year old dad made me!!!!
Maria
So I crocheted a strap for all my dulcimers. It's funny because my mom was an avid wonderful crocheter and I just never was able to finish anything more than a scarf here or there. Well now she's gone and all of a sudden I had the urge to do this because no strap felt "thin" enough. They work out GREAT.
Here's a picture
Take care
Maria
Oh Terry!!
I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. I am going to the doc at the end of the month. I hope it's not arthritis!!
I'm glad that you are able to still play for the old folks and I'm glad that your new "treatment" is helping. I am severely allergic to fish so I can NEVER take fish oil!!
Take care and keep on keeping on!!!
Maria
Congrats to all the new folks discovering this amazing Instrument that only came into my life 4 months ago and yet feel like I've been playing my whole life. It has truly changed my life! I've squirreled away money to buy flutes and even have been selling some of my other instruments. It has also come at a good time as I have been having very bad hand pain in my left hand between my thumb and my pointer. It's made it very painful to play the dulcimer or the guitar. Thankfully the flute has been mostly okay! (If I do a marathon session of playing when I get afforded that luxury then it could cramp but again nothing like the pain when playing the other instruments. And forget mandolin or uke even worse!
I reached out to an incredible flute player and maker George Dyson and he is making me an Em flute out of River Cane and the fetish is going to be a hawk because ever since my mom died 17 months ago I've been seeing Hawks at the oddest times. Usually when I'm thinking of her. When I asked him if he carved Hawks (as I saw his incredible horses) he said he did but usually it's just the head. I asked if he ever did one with wings spread and he said he hadn't but he felt moved to try with my story of my mom. He lost his dad this past March and he was he teacher and mentor so he felt a kinship. I'm so excited!
Well take care everyone. I don't have any people near me that play so I'm really glad for forums like this and on Facebook!
Maria
I cancelled my flute order yesterday. James opened the door to this decision, since two weeks turned into 5 weeks.
I like James, and have no I'll feelings. He's been real busy and had an eye injury.
I'm probably going to stick to High Spirits flutes.
OH that is a real shame. He truly makes beautiful flutes. I know he emailed me about one that I was thinking of getting (a drone) and said that amazon has removed all of his flutes.....it's a shame as you said he's a nice guy. He's probably just not capable of "mass producing" for places like Amazon where the normal customers want their items in two days. 5 weeks is really a long time and I'm sorry it didn't pan out for you.
You can't beat high spirits. I really am enjoying mine. I'm getting to love my gm more and more. It's funny it seems that they have to be almost worked into...maybe it's just getting them "broken in" like shoes lol!!
Much success on all your next flute buying purchases and I'm sorry that something I recommended didn't work out...
Take care
Maria
Hi Maria
No flute yet. He said, 2 to 3 weeks. Now a month. Here's my take. He's taking extra time, to build me the most magnificent C flute imaginable.
No flute in another week or so I'll start getting a tiny bit concerned. I live a very laid back life style. Nothing bothers me except my health.
I'll let you know.
Best regards
Terry
You are very nice and of course I would be concerned as well. However I did have an email conversation with with him and he said he's really gotten busy and he was so nice to say "I'm sure you have something to do either with that!" He said its just as busy as he was Christmas. But I still would email him and say that since he mentioned 2 weeks and it's 4 that you wondered what happened.
Ler me know if you want me to mention any anything to him. And I think the tone are really special and hope you love it. Maria
Maria
James, at Gray Fox Flutes, is building me a 5 hole cedar flute key of C.
I mentioned to him of your love for the flute he made you. He was happy you were happy.
With the addition of this C, I'll only be lacking a F and E, to round out my initial collection. Later perhaps.
Terry,
Did you ever get your Gray Fox Flute and what do you think?
I love both of the ones I got from him and so reasonable!!
I may be ordering a drone soon I have to see...(So happy that I hadn't used all my Amazon gift card money) and so glad he is able to sell his flute on there!!
let me know bout the Flute!
take care
Maria
I'm so sorry to hear of this. I only have been a member here a short time, but he helped me figure out how to tune the dulcimer correctly when I was afraid of popping a string.
Very sad to lose friends even new ones...
God Bless him and his family
Maria
I got a really nice bunch of tabs from his website but when I googled him so that I could share my video of a song I did using his tab I get an obit. Did he pass away? and did anyone know of him?
thanks so much
Maria
I reccomend "the capo book #1" by Dallas Cline. I got mine off ebay. But if you google you may find a place that sells it!
Lots of good info
Maria
Thanks Dusty! and yes, for sure...I probably have enough for two life times lol!!!
Maria
DUSTY YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!
check out the video I did and gave you kudos on screen and on the credits!! thanks so much your window decal did the trick!!!
I will post the video in the video section too!!
Maria