Reiki John

For even more information, please visit River Spirit Flutes, my site decicated to the Native American Style Flute.

Flutes, rattles and drums are the oldest instruments made by the human race.  All cultures have their own versions of these instruments, made from whatever materials were available to them.  They would have been used not just for pleasure but also during sacred ceremonies.

The Native American Flute, so stories tell, was originally used by young men for courting.  It is often known as the Love Flute for that reason.  It was in danger of being lost as western culture threatened Native American culture and beliefs.  That did not happen - in part because of the resilience of indiginous culture and a revival of playing by artists such as R Carlos Nakai.

More recently, in some, States, the flute has been replacing the recorder as the instrument children learn at school.  It has also crossed the Atlantic and become very popular in 'New Age' musical circles.  There are now a number of flute makers in this country making Native American style flutes with English woods. 

Because they are hand-made from wood these flutes have a wonderful natural sound suitable for meditaion and healing.  (I use flute recordings as a background for Reiki treatments.)  Each flute has an individual character according to the maker and variety of wood. 

But flutes are not just for listening to - they are for playing.  And the Native American Flute is a very.easy instrument to play - so ideal for someone who, like me, was told at school that they were not musical.  It has been a revelation to me that at the age of 50 I found I could express myself in music. 

I have now played at various ceremonies - earth healing, passage of the seasons and phases of the Moon and memorials.  The Native American Flute would be an ideal accompaniment for anyone planning an 'alternative' ceremony.  

To me it is an honour to provide the breath that gives a dead tree new life.  I would also be honoured to share this with you - either at your ceremony or a demonstration and talk for groups.

A number of interesting flute resources can be found on the links page.