Hawk Hurst has been crafting and playing Native American style flutes for over ten years, and has studied with some of the finest Native American flute makers across the country. He makes four different styles of flutes, from either bamboo or native river cane, which he finds, selects, and cuts, himself. Because each piece of cane is different, each finished flute is a unique creation, and they come in several different keys.

The Southeastern Native American style, blown from the end, has the characteristic "bird" of Native American flutes. This is the traditional style of flute found among native peoples all across the Southeastern United States, before European contact. It's keyed in the pentatonic scale* in the keys of C, B, A, F and G. Flutes larger in diameter will tend to be quieter and have deeper tones (F, G, G#, A). Flutes smaller in diameter will tend to be be more easily heard across greater distances and will have higher tones (C, B, B#). This type of flute is easy to learn to play.
*Pentatonic scales are different from standard western musical scales, so you may not be able to play familiar tunes on these flutes. They work best for Oriental and Native American music.

The Transverse-style, is blown from the side like traditional metal flutes, so it doesn't have a "bird". Keyed in either the diatonic* or pentatonic scale, and available in the keys of  B and C.  Rivercane flutes of this style date back over three hundred years in North America. The idea for the transverse flute was probably introduced by the Spaniards, whom the Native people may have seen playing side-blown fifes. They're slightly more challenging than the end blown flutes, but practice makes perfect. 
*Diatonic scales enable you can play most familiar tunes, like Green Sleeves, Amazing Grace,  etc.

The Drone-style is blown from the end, and has two flutes connected together, so that you blow one to play both. The one without the holes plays the keynote, creating a haunting resonance. It's keyed in the pentatonic scale and available in B or C. This is a contemporary idea, in regards to Native American flutes, but drone flutes similar to these can be found throughout Africa, India, and the Middle East. It's fairly easy to learn to play. 

The European-style is blown from the end. This is a contemporary style of flute, based upon ancient flutes from Europe. Scaled in the diatonic scale and available in F, G, G#, or A. It's fairly easy to learn to play, but slightly more challenging than the Southeastern-style or Drone-style.

Prices typically start at around $65.00. Check with us to see what we currently have in stock.

If you have questions, need more information, 
or would like to place an order, please . . .
 E-mail us at: INFO@SONGOFTHEWOOD.COM
Call or fax us at: 828-669-7675
Visit or write us at: Song of the Wood
203 West State Street
Black Mountain, NC  28711
 Or fill out the form on our Order Page.