Choosing a Mid-Range Native Flute (Considerations, Keys, and More)

[@ArtimusFreeman]

Very informative. Thanks Kalani. You are the best Native Flute instructor on the web. Bravo!

[@KalaniMusic]

Thank you!

[@JonnyLipford]

Great stuff Kalani! Thanks for all you do in the flute community! :)

[@KalaniMusic]

My pleasure

[@jetwoman10001]

The high E is quite sweet

[@bebetter9600]

I’m a professional oboist and I also play recorder. Are the fingerings somewhat similar to soprano recorder? Oboe has similarities to recorder in that regard. I want to get a native flute. I was thinking more in the bass range. I play english horn also which is a larger finger spread so I imagine it wouldn’t be so different?

[@KalaniMusic]

The NAF is similar to recorder, but more geared for diatonic, rather than chromatic scales. There is no thumb hole on a typical NAF and most are 6-hole.

[@naiman4535]

There seems to be a universal phenomenon among world flutes, not just the Native American Style Flute, but all kinds of world flutes, and that is the phenomenon of a standard pitch. For the Native American Style Flute (NASF) that key is the F Sharp above middle C. For the Irish Flute and the Shakuhachi, that standard key is the D above middle C. For the South American Quena, that key is the G above middle C. Whichever of these flutes you choose, if the key is higher than the standard key, even if just by a half step, the flute sounds light, bright and on the high side. Conversely, if the key is lower than the standard key, even if just by a half step, the flute sounds dark, mellow and low in tone. What's interesting about this video you made is that you failed to show the most mid-range Native Flute of them all, which is the standard key of F# - you didn't even go that low. In my opinion, F#, G and A are the most commonly played midrange keys on the Native Flute, with A actually being a bridge between the middle range and the higher keys and ranges.

[@KalaniMusic]

I do mention that F# is “right in the middle” of the range. This video is about “mid to upper-mid” flutes. Thanks for your thoughts and comment.

[@idontlikeit.7822]

G# would like to protest

[@nilesh5320]

How to get these flutes in India? I need E flute

[@wack8589]

🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@SerkanKabak25]

What is the price ranges on these flutes? Thanks!

[@KalaniMusic]

Most Native American-style flutes range from $150 to $350 for basic models. Higher-end flutes, made from exotic woods, with custom designs, can be priced from $800 to $3500 and up.

[@WeberBaker]

No C?