We just picked up one of these from High Spirits Flutes at the Patagnoia, AZ, showroom! My wife is only 5' 2", so having bass flutes made like this will help her become able to play them. We are very, very happy!
Sounds beautiful; I used to play the low D Irish whistle and yes on those the length and spacing of the holes was a challenge until you learned the right way for the bottom two holes.
I only have one D and this seemed like a logical choice away from home casually. All of my low flutes are too nice to run around with in the woods and canyons! Looking forward to arrival!!
Thanks for this review, I've been curious about these since I first saw Odell's release video on them. I'll stick with my regular bass flutes, as I think the sound is fuller, but these will be great for bringing the bass flute into someone's hands who couldn't play them before. Still, seems pretty responsive for a flute without a SAC. Thanks and take care!
i rem watching this vid' for the first time a year ago and thinking "...i wonder if i would like this non-conventional design?" so after watching Jonny's vid AT LEAST 10 times i decided to go for it... and i'am glad i did. Thank u Mr. Lipford :) i have come to luv both my low'E and low'D Spirit flutes. they r the ones i play most often these days and i dont kno y? they seem to "play" the same as my other traditional looking flutes? but after a few months i started to realize the mouth-feel was a little-tiny-bit different and i was unconciously using the shape of my mouth to influence my playing.. Jonny mentions it in the vid but a house has to fall on me befor i see it! I would say... i use jst a lil'bit less air, and a lil'bit less back pressure - these flutes react instantly - to get a very expressive sound. Kudo's to Jonny for sharing this great review.
Thanks for these review vids. In addition to DeRuby, Kuzin Bruce uses a similar design for some of his bass flutes as well--like the bass A drone I shared with you at Sweetgrass. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks for your review on these new High Spirit Flutes. I just ordered one in the key of Am to round out my Am Flute collection. Thanks for sharing @Jonnylipford 🙏
Excellent for travel ! I have a classic Condor Bass D 432 hertz, I am in love with the sound, but it's not easy to put in my backpack =) This new spirit flute seems to be perfect for travel, with a Roland Mobile Cube ;)
I think I will send my beautiful Earthone Key of F# flute back and get a Spirit Flute. I'm so sad. I live in a very cold climate and got it yesterday and within 30 seconds it started wetting out. I can't even play it for 5-10 minutes. I remove the fetish and blow on it and so much water/moisture comes pouring out.
I'm trying to decide which one sounds better. I like the etching better on the E and the fact that it's a little shorter. I have only 60% of one lung so which one would you recommend for sound quality and ease of playing? Thanks so much for the review. Have a call in to Odell for ordering purposes and looking forward to the addition to my collection!
Aho Jonny, Thanks for doing a review of these flutes. I would like to know two things about them that you didn't touch on. First is, how do they compare as to the amount of air needed to play them? Second is, how far into the second octave can they go, does the tin whistle type design of the mouthpiece allow for higher notes to be played in the extended scale/second octave? Thanks again, Toksa Akhe Mitakuye.
No problem at all I have one, and its very easy to play, they can't go into the second octave except for accidental notes. They have less resistance so its a slight different feel than a regular native american, but there is realy not an issue at all, for the price I think these are absolutely worth it, and other issues some people have is really nitpicking, I recommend these flutes no problem.
Thanks for the review. I have a Low D cedar "Spirit Flute" that I purchased at Goodwill for $6.00 (yes, it's in tune and plays fine) earlier this year. It was not made by Odell. The only markings on it are the letters VN. Do you or anyone else know who VN is or who makes VN flutes.
Hi Jonny..The tone sounds slightly muted and just a tad breathy. Or maybe it's just me. They have their own character that's for sure. Thanks for your time, reviews and your fantastic flute music.
They are, indeed, a bit breathy. Danny at the showroom suggested keeping the cheek muscles relaxed, which is something I had already seen in one of Jonny Lipford's videos. It helps a lot!
I can’t wait to order the spirit flute in low D. I just bought my first high spirit flute. I bought the signature wild horse in f# minor. How long does it take to get my order shipped out? I know this is a random question but I’m excited to get my flute. 🤣 Thank you for your help and I absolutely love your content. 🥰
Since you will be buying all future High Spirits flutes directly from them, most likely, that will be a better question for them. Any pre-owned flutes that I sell go out Mon-Fri, and will ship 1-2 days after receiving your order with the exception of holidays. With priority mail, maybe 3 business days from shipping. Here is a link for further information: www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/pages/faq?_pos=2&_sid=486bfa75e&_ss=r.
I miss the EZ Ansazi flutes. Since NAF Style flutes are really NAF Style slow air chamber and block + Shakuhachi scale (minor pentatonic) Idk why major pentatonic isn't more popular and widespread...
It seems a lot of beginning NAF players learn the minor pentatonic scale first thing and not all move on from there. I do teach playing pentatonic major on the minor flute. I also offer a list of C Major scales that can be played on the pent minor tuned flute. Whether players take up that offer is up to them. Here is one course I offer that encourages players to explore more options like you mention: www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons/products/getting-unstuck-minicourse
@@JonnyLipford I've mostly been playing Tang style Nanyin Dongxiao from Taiwan lately, but I will have to check that out! I have Scott August's songbook Kokopelli's Flute and I used it to teach myself Xiao since it's written in C Major and I can take the notes at face value (since the tab is different) and there's almost nothing for English language resources for Xiao
High Spirits doesn't finish the bores, they leave them 'natural', which results in a fuzzy sound. They should sand them smooth as the outside for a crisp, clean sound. I have a Ken Light PF series (same model used by Carlos Nakai on some of his recordings) and it's an absolutely clean sound, best I ever heard.
Hi Jonny ! Do you think it's possible to have a native american flute without mouthpiece where you blow directly to the edge like a shakuhachi ? That could provide a bigger range to the flute if I'm correct ? The shakuhachi has 3 octave thanks to this. This would be so cool.
Im late but the original rim blown flutes that the tohono o,odham tribes used or the mojave flute/ papago flute is still available someplace online though i have yet to find one at a reasonable price .
I’ve just taken a keen interest in playing spirit flutes and now an adult I haven’t touched an instrument since grades 6-10 where I played fairly well( as my music teacher was impressed with my ability to play by air at the time… parents just did not want me doing music)… so now rekindling the passion and desire I am wondering how long would it take to be able to play a lovely tune with daily practice …. I know a broad question
The Native American flute is one of the easiest instruments to learn AND to progress with. With a well-tuned but not at all necessarily spendy flute, you can be playing simple tunes in just a few days. You will need a little time to get used to a new flute and find the best breath pressure for it and be able to play each note on the basic scale cleanly. I do offer a course where if you buy the flute and course together, it is very affordable and less than the cost that you mentioned in a previous post. A good source for learning as a beginner is key to your progression as well as dedicated practice. There are also many sources for learning online with a bit of searching. If you would like to have your start all in one place though, this might be the ticket for you! www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/products/beginning-flute-course
@@JonnyLipford I appreciate your response I recently purchased a key of G with high spirits flutes and l reside in 🇨🇦 so duty and shipping was over $140 usd I will continue watching your amazing channel for now , but want to acquire the skills to play clear, develop finger dexterity, breaths and such so I will certainly look into your classes . Thank you kindly
I don't think there is much of a "rastling" sound here. These flutes are made of a very soft wood, Spanish Cedar, one of my favorite woods actually. Because of that, they have a softer voice than a denser wood such as walnut. Thanks for watching! I really appreciate your patronage on my channel!
There still is some moisture buildup. The cedar does a great job of absorbing a lot of that and it seems to dry out a bit faster. The shorter air chamber does make for an easier reach in the larger keys though the finger holes tend to get bigger too.
I don't have a tutorial video for this song, but I do offer the sheet music in my store: www.horizonsflutestore.com/collections/native-american-flute-sheet-music/products/my-heart-will-go-on-sheet-music-for-native-american-flute-pdf.
Absolutely! HS Spirit flutes in A may be to your liking and they also make a double/drone flute in soft wood which can create a softer sound. They do also sell a High B (the highest in this style) that may work for you.
LukeSchaeferFilms 0 seconds ago I think I will send my beautiful Earthone Key of F# flute back and get a Spirit Flute. I'm so sad. I live in a very cold climate and got it yesterday and within 30 seconds it started wetting out. I can't even play it for 5-10 minutes. I remove the fetish and blow on it and so much water/moisture comes pouring out.
There are a few different factors that will cause a quick wet out on your flute: ambient humidity, air temperature being significantly below your body temperature and believe it or not, the length of time you have been playing as in months or years. More experienced players seem to produce less saliva and that somehow translates to less humidity inside the SAC. Sometimes saliva will actually enter the SAC, accelerating the problem. Just be aware that a Spirit flute is really more of a whistle. Nothing wrong with that, but you lose some the flexibility in being able to move the block to correct pitch or change the voice of the instrument.
