Are you *new to the Native American flute* and looking for a solid foundation? Or have you been playing for many years and *_feel like you're lacking creativity and inspiration?_* Join my Native Flute Academy where you'll transform your flute playing! Check it out: bit.ly/jl-learn-naf
1:24-1:30 how do you get the tribble effect...not just the chirp... it's similar to a tongue roll kinda but on flute. I heard it again at approx 4:21-4:24 I've got quite a few techniques down that you shared here just from playing around. I can't seem to get that one it's a very pretty sound effect. Thank you for sharing wish I'd had something like this when I was starting out!
I just bought a bamboo flute to start with and am learning at home ... these few tips just changed my world. 2 weeks in and in Love. Thank You for sharing.
@JonnyLipford, I just purchased my first High Spirit Signature flute, Earth Tone. Sitting here watching videos and I have to say you opened up a plethera of new notes just explaining the "Eww" and "Ahh" methode to me!! If only this would have been explained to me back in the late 70's early 80's when I played clarinet and saxophone maybe I would have still been playing!! lol 🧐🤷♀️😂 How is it that there are numerous ways of teaching anything in general, yet each and every one of us tend to only have a few ways to actually ENJOY learning what's being taught? You just gave me that "ah-ha" moment!! Thank you for that!!
Wow! So glad I could help. Thanks. Not to go getting all "salesy" on you, but you should consider my Beginning Your Journey course. It will teach you everything you need to build a proper foundation for years of enjoyment with this beautiful instrument. You can find it here... www.horizonsflutestore.com/products/beginning-flute-course
You make it look easy friend. I’m new and get caught in a loop playing the same phrases over and over like a song stuck in my head. This is helpful though. If 10 years from now the song coming from my flute sounds half that good I’ll be happy.
Awesome! Thank you, and please continue your flute journey for what it means to you. Try not to compare yourself to others. Perhaps with the place in your playing that you have stated, this would help: www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/products/getting-unstuck-minicourse
I'm almost 70 so always gasping for breath. So glad I never smoked. Thanks so much for your hints and tips they sure do make a difference in our playing. P.S. you need more flutes.....he he
Welcome to the flute community! There are so many wonderful elements of playing the Native American flute. I am launching beginning tutorials this month. So stay tuned! :)
I have started this year offering pre-recorded video courses and I also offer LIVE Zoom workshops. Perhaps you can find something here that looks good to you. www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons
Thank you for this! I'm fairly novice at playing (I can do the fading and vibrato), but I needed more techniques as I'm busking for the first time, in Perugia, Umbria, Italy, just for some extra change as my food budget is very tight thanks to needing to replace my computer. But my focus is on honoring the flute and the Native cultures and stories.
You can do it! I get that we make sacrifices in parts of our lives to get the things that truly make our hearts sing. Best wishes for your new goals! When you are ready, I do have a course that explains all the embellishments I use in my own music. This could give you a good supply to spice up your busking and bring those tips in! www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/products/native-american-flute-embellishments-ecourse
Thanks for the phenomenal instructions. It will take me a long, long time to implement all the tips you have presented. I just recently was given a flute and am attempting to learn how to play it. On a different note, I estimate there are about 46 fluted behind where you are standing. Have you ever tried to play each of them back to back? I also see two cigar box guitars and several drums. How about playing them for us sometime? 😇🥰
Thanks for the compliment, Brandon! I am passionate about sharing and educating folks on the things that they can do with the Native American flute. :)
Thanks, Jonny! You’re an excellent instructor. In the future would you consider doing a video on more advanced tips for more advanced players? Just a thought... Appreciate ALL that you do.
Hey Russ, some of these things can be explored in a more advanced fashion. There are so many nuances to flute playing. I am working on a series of tutorials and courses that will be available starting this summer. :) Stay tuned!
This is a flute by Rick Svitzer of Rain Spirit Flutes, from my private collection. I do not stock them at my retail store, but you can contact Rick directly if your are interested in one. www.rainspiritflutes.com/pages/about-us. Thanks for watching!
Hi Jonny great tutorial have so much to learn. Thankyou. Also when you have someone like Suyay a competent flute player in her own right commenting she wants lessons from you, speaks volume for the esteem you are held in by the world flute community. I for one cannot express my gratitude enough.
What flute are you using, Jonny? I’m considering getting one and this sounded like the one for me. I just came across your channel, previously having had a deep fascination with the ‘Ney’ instrument. Now, I feel a strong, natural and primordial inclination towards the native flute-it’s just so beautiful man, especially the way that you play it, really magical. Much respect.
This flute is by Rick Svitzer of www.rainspiritflutes.com/. Here is a review of Rick's flute like this one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YERB919vhfg.html. Thanks for tuning in!
I've been struggling to play the Japaneese Shakuhachi flute and decided after listening to you play to buy a basic native flute. It's so much easier and enjoyable to play. Your 5 tips where wonderful. Now, I would like to buy a better flute. I like the voice of the flute you are playing. Is it on your site for sale? I've noticed that many of your flutes are out of stock!
I've had an overwhelming response with flutes. People are hungry for flutes, I suppose! The flute I use in this video is one by Rick Svitzer. He can be found at rainspiritflutes.com
I got my Butch Hall Concert E and I just love it. I can't play it worth a dang. So I'm looking forward to making some music instead of scaring my chihuahua. 😀
Het Jonny ,GREAT VIDEO,I have looked at it 5 times already, and pick up something new each time especially the POPs and BENDS .....Thank You for helping so many of us flute players, just listening to this one and each and every You Tube video of your playing will tell anyone who listens, what a MASTER flute player sounds like!!!!
Definitely needed this video from you! 😊 I feel like I've been playing the same thing since I've been on my flute journey (2 months) 😂 I'm hoping soon that I'll develop vibrato; that's the key!
Thanks for the kind words! Glad these tips are helping you! If you're interested in learning more about developing vibrato, I'd be happy to work with you on it. I teach three days out of the week via skype and facetime with students all over. I'm also putting together some tutorials for advanced things such as this to hopefully help more people on their flute journey!
Thanks for the tips Jonny, I started with a 3/4" PVC flute from another unregistered Cherokee and it's so indestructible that it's my 'travel flute'... Cedar flutes are too valuable to spend a day in a motorcycle saddlebag
Agreed! I’m glad you found a solution for your travels! I do sell some very durable flutes in materials that make them sturdy for traveling too. Check these out! www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/products/radiance-epoxy-native-american-style-flutes
Thanks Jonny, great tips, as always. Your videos have helped a great deal in my playing, enabling me to make great leaps and bounds in a short period of time. We were talking about you the other day in my flute circle, about how your music helps bring more ppl into the NAF fold by showing the true versatility of this amazing instrument. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for help Mr. Lipford. I listened to several of your RU-vids earlier in my NAF playing. Going back now to re-listen and your instruction is even more helpful after gaining some experience playing for several years. Keep up the great work. PS: How do your flute samples of various works sound so perfectly recorded? The playing is perfect and the recording enhances the playing beautifully.
Excellent! So glad to hear that I am helping! It has taken years of trial and error to find exactly the right equipment to get the best recordings possible. A long story...
Amazing lesson. I was somehow doing the popping naturally but it is good to see a method and reasoning for what causes certain dynamics. It definitely shortens the learning through exploration curve. I am also looking for information as to why i seem to be belching more since picking up flute playing. I figure it may be incorrect breath control.
Glad it was helpful! It is possible that you are taking air into your stomach as much as your lungs. Try to breathe naturally and not over inflate yourself. Hopefully, you are not drinking carbonated beverages before or while you play too!
That was absolutely awesome, Jonny! Very concise and to the points. I bought your Tribal Rhythms, Minor Ambient Pads and worked through your DVD instruction over time. Now, 5 months into my flute journey my playing is improving so rapidly! The first home recording I made with all of your help, my friends and family said it sounded so studio professional. I know where the improvements could be made of course, but it was leaps and bounds above where I was even a month ago. Thanks so much! Gratefully, Sherry (living in a flutie desert, no other fluties around)
Hello! To play the Relative Major scale on any Pentatonic Minor tuned flute, just start with the bottom hole uncovered and proceed up the flute using all the remaining notes in the Extended Minor scale. If you need some help with getting those upper register notes that go beyond the Basic Pentatonic scale, I do offer this course: www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/products/perfecting-high-odd-notes-mini-course
Hi Jonny, Great tips. I've been playing for years and found your tips on upper register helpful. I learned from a local flute circle, but some of your other tips add fine detail to what I already knew. I noticed the cigar box guitars on the wall. Do you play those as well? I have one but haven't learned to play yet.
HI Ken, glad you picked up on a few things from this video! I have a couple of other tips that I've been saving for another video and, of course, I've been writing many tutuorials and getting ready to film those. I do play the Cigar Box Guitar, but not as well as I do the flute! :D Both of the ones that you see here are tuned like a dulcimer.
Hello Jonny! Hey I want to ask you if you could do a tutorial on how to play the song (The inner light) on the native American flute. It's such a beautiful song and I can't seem to figure out how to play it. Thank you!
You're welcome! Grandfather flutes may or may not be tuned for playing in western music scales or with western instrument accompaniment. Tread carefully there and contact the maker for more detail. For a drone flute you could try a flute from Singing Tree Flutes or Falcon Flutes and I am currently carrying epoxy drones from Willow Creek Flutes on my website in addition to single flutes for beginners and above. Hopefully, something there will suit you! www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-style-flutes
Hi I was just wondering what key of flute you think I should start out with as a beginner? I’m sure it’s a lot of preference I just can’t decide because they all sound so cool!
There are so many choices! Most people might consider a beginner flute to be one less expensive, as you may be just testing the waters to see if you will stay with it, a beginner can play any single bore Native American flute. This video might be helpful for making a choice: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YgYiUNDGURg.html. I sell these flutes and others on my retail site: www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-style-flutes.
How many months did it take you to perfect that hyper tap? Absolutely intriguing, kinda baffling, rewarding and a goal to shoot for…? In answer to all questions: If it does not feel generally correct for You, it is not generally not correct for you… Followed that is correct and life will follow. You obviously are following what binds the world.
I've been playing the native flute since 2002, so I have spent countless hours practicing and developing my sound. You are right in that if it doesn't feel correct, it may not be correct, however, there are times where you should try new things and get outside of your comfort zone. If you stay with what is easy or comfortable, then you have done yourself and the world an injustice.
Hey Jim, thanks so much for tuning in! I also love the scales that go with this music. The NAF Celtic scale is a favorite. I have given workshops on playing this type of flute in different scales and a course on playing scales and applying those to different musical traditions will be forthcoming at some point. For the time being, I would advise you to familiarize yourself with the Celtic scale on the Flutopedia website, to play with a Native American flute. You might like to set yourself up with a flute of diatonic tuning in the scale of D or G, as those are the most common for this genre of music. That could be a diatonic tuned NAF or an Irish Whistle. Hope this helps! Cheers!
In general, it seems that most people will have their dominant (writing) hand on the bottom. There is not correct way. It is what feels natural to you. There are some people whom are ambidextrous. If you are not sure about your dominant hand for flute playing, try both ways. I'm confident that one will feel more natural than the other unless you are truly one of those ambidextrous people.
Thanks Jonny, good tutorial, by the way, what key is the flute that you are using in this video. I love the mellow deep tone. And what wood is it make of?
I think its when you use your tongue to cover the air from going out your mouth so makes a sharp stop of air flow. If you say the your tongue covers yiur back of your teeth now do that while you blow
Hey there! Thanks for tuning in! I have been a professional musician for over 20 years, so my collection has had a lot of time to grow. Since in the world of Native American flutes there are so many different sounds in keys and woods, as well as individual voices created by the flute makers, I have many to choose from to match the music I am playing to. There is a voice for every song. I do occasionally receive flutes for review and promotion but I buy a lot too!
Hi, Jonny Love your flutes; lesson and your work. I wonder if I could ask you a technical question!? Simply; if I have a flute that plays really well; and I cut the tube off the flute! So; all I know have is the sound part and about two inchs of pipe in front of where the sound is generated and comes out! If I now blow through the very shortened section (and, again, this is where the sound is generated) ... if I blow through this, will I get a sound ... !? The reason that I ask is that; I have built a 34'' Contrabas flute; the long tube is finished, but not connected to the sound part, but, for the life of me, I cannot get any sound out of the sound part! I would have thought you could create sound through the sound part with it disconnected from the tube part ... !? Hope you can help on this one, as I am now completely stuck ... ! Best wishes ... William (Hampshire UK)
There is a minimum length required for the barrel of the flute to create any sound. Sounds like yours is not together yet. As I am not a flute maker, I would defer your question to this group on Facebook. As you are creating your own flutes, you may find this a valuable source for your questions! I do not build any of my own flutes. facebook.com/groups/819864421457430/
Awesome are you selling this flute going to buy one and learn on your beginner course ..great resource thanks just want to sit in the woods and connect
Yes I am! This particular flute is not for sale but here is a link to my current flute offerings:www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-style-flutes
Hey there! Thanks for watching and good question! Sometimes it's by pushing a little more breath through the flute or even less. This raises and lowers the pitch on the same note. There are also very subtle finger movements that might not be easy to see in the video, like shading and bending. I have a course that you could be interested in that teaches these very things! www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/products/native-american-flute-embellishments-ecourse
There are many apps out there for adding reverb/delay to your flute playing. I use a floor reverb pedal to add reverb on the go after explanations in my videos. You can also selectively add reverb/delay to your music inside any digital audio workstation application for recording.
Hi! Thanks for asking! The tongue before the bend is the same as tonguing between notes. It's all in the timing and happens very briefly just before the bend commences. The syllables "ta" and "da" will probably work best for you depending on the effect you are seeking. With a little practice you will nail this technique. Have fun!
