Native American flutes are enjoyed and played in many cultures around the world. I have always enjoyed Native flute music for its pleasing sound quality and ability to bring a tranquil calm to the ambiance where it is played. Listening to Native flutes always take me back to my mother's kitchen where she often had flute music playing to create a tranquil environment in her home. The soothing flute music cures the soul and brings about a calming affect on the spirit of all who come in contact with it.

If you read about the history of Indian musical instruments, you will find that along with the drum, the flute plays a meaningful role in the daily lives, festivities and traditions of many American Indian Tribes. Native American flute music takes you on a spiritual journey where descedants look to their ancestors to guide them, and rely upon their instruments to connect them with the Spirits.

Flutes of various types have been around for centuries and have been part of many Indigenous cultures around the world. The reflection of flute instruments in historical times shows us that they did exist in ancient cultures. The origin and design of the Native American flute is a little more complicated to research due to the fact that no North American Tribe had a written language to keep record. It wasn't until explorers documented their discoveries, that the Native American flute is reported.

You can't appreciate the true value of Native flute music until you learn that society came close to crushing this incredible art from with rigid assimilation rules. The 1900's brought with it tough rules for Native Americans that tried to extinguish their culture and people. Together with many other Native Indian traditions, these rules greatly affected the practice and spread of Native flute music. It wasn't until the mid-1900's that assimilation laws started to lessen and Native traditions were able to be practiced within the Tribe and in public once again. Over the years, the regard for the Native American flute grew to the point that flute makers began fabricating these instruments in large quantities to sell, and not just for personal playing purposes. The materials used to make the flutes also turned from undeveloped crude instruments to more sophisticated, with the use of modern power tools and the greater availability of various types of woods, plastics and metals.

Today, there are many options available when deciding on a Native style flute, and it is just a matter of personal preference. There are a few tips you should keep in mind though when shopping around. There are many different types of flutes, but all have one of two different sound qualities. The sound quality of the flute depends on whether it is a Plains style or a Woodlands style. A Plains style flute produces a buzz type sound while a Woodlands style will produce a bell tone. No matter which sound style of flute you buy, it is important to look over the quality of each specific instrument, including the mouthpiece, size, shape and number of holes, in order to buy one that you are comfortable playing. Native American flutes are also made of different kinds of wood ranging from extravagant, rather costly woods, to simple pieces of pine, cane or bamboo.

Because of the popular enjoyment of flute music, you can now buy Native American flutes online, in various music stores, and in specialty shops that sell Indian musical instruments and southwestern home decorating accessories. If you are searching for an easy instrument for playing or decorative purposes, or are searching for authentic Indian musical instruments to use in Indian powwows and ceremonies, consider keeping the traditions and instruments of American Indians alive with the tranquil harmony of Native American flutes.