Comparing 13 Mid-Range Native American Flutes with Jonny Lipford

[@jimsapp7969]

I love that c m flute !

[@timbacchus]

If there ever was a magic wand, these Flutes bring so much beauty to look at and soul inspiring music.

[@JonnyLipford]

Amen! Thanks for watching!

[@ahamoments132]

Ooh.. Randy Stenzel's flutes really do have a tone that is very lovely, too. .. even on the higher keys.. Thank you.. this is very rewarding hearing all these sound clips. :)

[@JonnyLipford]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@mikesimmons1965]

Thanks for posting this video Jonny! I enjoy hearing different flutes knowing whom the crafter is.

[@JonnyLipford]

Mike Simmons absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@brandylierman6470]

Thanks , Jonny. It's nice hearing the different keys...woods and crafters. Appreciate your time.

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks, Brandy! When folks start out with the flute, they don't have any idea of what the flute sounds like compared to another. Hopefully, this will help someone!

[@jimsapp7969]

Beautifully sounding Flutes !!!

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks for listening!

[@Invisible_Hermit]

I'm 55 years old, and just started playing the Native American flute a little over a year ago. When I first saw one of your videos, I thought, "Wow, this young man can really play!" Then I believe I heard you say you started in 2002, so I then felt some relief that there might be some hope for me! 🤤 I Currently have eight flutes in my collection, mostly from High Spirits, with some Jonah Thompson and Blue Bear thrown in. Your sample of your collection there is quite impressive! All of those flutes sang beautifully. I am so glad to be on this path, and have the opportunity to learn from such talented musicians as yourself. Keep up the good work, and thank you.

[@JonnyLipford]

Hey Michael, Thanks so much for watching. Yes, I have been playing and collecting Native flutes since 2002. The flutes have taught me so much about breath control, embellishments and theory. It's been a great journey. Keep at it and remember, we all start somewhere! :) Peace, JL

[@glenndent6626]

Aho Michael, I am 62 winters old. The Great Mystery led me to the Native American style flute three years ago this month. I have played daily sense picking up my first flute. I now have 13 flutes. Like you, most of mine are from High Spirits. I also have a Laughing Crow E drone and a couple of Butch Hall Concert series, one A and a G. I play my Butch Hall's more than anything else because they take longer to "water out" than my High Spirits. However when I need to play into the extended scale the High Spirits flutes can reach one note higher than anything else I've got. Celtic music tends to play the second octave quite a bit you know, although I mostly prefer playing in the indigenous style. Travis Terry, Robert Tree Cody, Ronald Roybal, Charles Littleleaf, and Mary Youngblood are my favorites. It's been an amazing journey for me so far and I hope that Creator also blesses you on your way around this circle of life. Mitakuye Oyas'in. Toksa Akhe Mitakuye.

[@Invisible_Hermit]

@@glenndent6626 Thanks so much for the kind and informative response. I've looked at some Butch Hall flutes, and after your comment, I think I'll pick one up. I have recently purchased a beautiful new flute in low D from Blue Bear Flutes made from a specially cured Poplar wood; it's beautiful, smells amazing (like coffee beans), and plays wonderfully. One huge plus is that it's very resistant to wettimg out! This really is an amazing journey to be on, as it brings so much peace and contentment, and is a hobby that brings with it some fun responsibilities, such as making sure all your flutes are well oiled. I live in southern California, (where we endure summers instead of winters 😉), and it gets pretty dry. I read on Clint Goss's Flutopedia page that he uses hazelnut oil on his flutes, so I just ordered some from Amazon. Coincidently enough, I just sent an email to Jonny, asking him about other flute makers. I've seem a number that sound interesting, and some, like Woodsounds, that just seem a bit overpriced, to me. Yes, they're gorgeous, but do they really sound that much better? That's what I'd like to know. I bought a little amplifier from Blue Bear Flutes that gives my playing that nice "in a canyon" reverb that always sounds so good! Yes, other forms are fun to play, like the Spanish Gypsy scale, but I always find myself getting back to Native American style too, ala Jan Michael Looking Wolf, and the various other artists you mentioned. However, I love Celtic music, and I'd like to try my hand at that! I believe you ended your message in Lakota; very nice! Are you fluent? Part of my flute journey has been educating myself on Native American history. The book "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee " is where I really began, although as an avid student of history, Native American culture has frequently been there. I continued with the book, "The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee," and am now reading "Rez Life." There are times, while playing my flute, that I feel the spirit of all these great indigenous people who once walked this land. They are, of course, still with us today, but their numbers, though rising, are still too few. But, like you ssid, WE ARE ALL ONE. Maybe this marvelous instrument is the Great Spirit's way of showing us all that. Be well, it was nice meeting you.

[@glenndent6626]

@@Invisible_Hermit Aho Michael, I am not fluent in Lakota. I started trying to learn the language approximately a year before I started playing the flute but for the last couple of years it's been on the back burner. As far as flutes go, I stick with what I feel I can afford. Makeup and fine clothes do not make a person's character and more often than not an expensive date is not worth the money spent. The same is true with flutes. I will be purchasing another Laughing Crow and at some point in time I would like to buy a flute from John Stillwell at Ancient Territories. I prefer to gain understanding of historical events from an Indigenous perspective. A fictional story of factual events is titled, The Long Knives Are Crying by Joseph M. Marshall the 3rd. I also like his book, The Lakota Way, stories and lessons for living. Seven of the stories from the book were made into a CD. You can find the stories from the CD posted on KZbin. The first part of The Story of the Eagle has an introduction where the author tells about himself and the book. The Story of the Flute Maker tells how a young man with a broken heart finds the first flute. However my favorite is The Story of No Moccasins. And I will leave you with what I believe should be required reading for history classes. Where White Men Fear To Tread. This book is the autobiography of Russell Means, a Lakota and member/spokesperson of AIM (the American Indian Movement). There are many different thoughts about this organization but without some of their efforts most of us Wasichu who enjoy the pleasure the N.A.F. brings would probably not be playing it today. Toksa Akhe Mitakuye.

[@Invisible_Hermit]

@@glenndent6626 Hi Glenn, those books sound great, I will have to look into them. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a well respected historical account of Native American history, albeit not written by a Native American, Dee Brown. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee and Rez Life, however, are both written by a man of Ojibwe ancestry, and he's an anthropologist to boot; his name is David Treuer. I hear you on the "all dressed up" flutes. To me, the most important part is the sound. That being said, my less than $100 Jonah Thompson flute plays like a dream! I will have to look into those Laughing Crow flutes as well, and I appreciate the useful information. In my circle of life, flute friends are a rare thing indeed! Take care.

[@olvimend]

Another very helpful video. Thanks again.......Waiting for the low flutes video! :):)

[@JonnyLipford]

Yes! I need to get to that, as well! :)

[@twoowls5570]

Mesmerizing, you are quite a talent. Thank you for posting this most informative video! Best regards, Jimp, AKA Two Owls.

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks for watching!

[@josuereynaldococa4804]

Amazing flutes

[@CDA129]

I enjoyed this comparison. Thank you.

[@JonnyLipford]

My pleasure!

[@ErtywekPL]

Amazing stuff. Reminds me some old game soundtracks.

[@TiagoOliveira-mg7ws]

Jonny lipford vc e suas flute sao de impressionar .estarei sempr acompanhado seu trabalho .e apredendor muito com sua aporgeturas em sua flutes.thank .brasil .porto velho.

[@JonnyLipford]

Thank you so much for your kindness!

[@scottdickerson266]

Oops I'm sorry thank you very much for your video and sharing your collection and knowledge

[@JonnyLipford]

No worries!

[@marcwouters1420]

Cool collection Jonny !

[@JonnyLipford]

Marc Wouters thanks! I have many more!

[@lanniewilson6913]

Thanks for sharing.

[@JonnyLipford]

You're very welcome!

[@chix25]

I love the Am,Fm, Gm and the Em. I have Key of A from High Spirits amd 2 others that I forgot the makers. Thank you for the reviews. This makes me wanna buy more. Hahah

[@amandasteven1400]

less is more :)

[@JonnyLipford]

You are so welcome.

[@si6116]

I don't know how to choose?

[@JonnyLipford]

Best way to choose a flute, is by closing your eyes and deeply listening. Or, if you have the opportunity to try it in person. Pay attention to the way you feel when you hear/play it.

[@timbacchus]

Of course you make them all sing. But my ears like the Gm ones best.

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks, Tim. I love my flutes! :)

[@christineweatherford5852]

Love the Jon Norris flute!! Does he still sell these?

[@JonnyLipford]

Christine Weatherford I'm not sure if he has any in stock, but he can definitely make one! Reach out to him and see. His website is jonnorrismusic.com

[@anlovearth]

Thanks Johnny, it’s great, may I know where can I found the Gm Flute, does Rick has a web site?

[@JonnyLipford]

Hey Kwan, yes! Rick can be found here: www.rainspiritflutes.com/ He makes a great flute. I have an A minor and F# minor from him as well.

[@anlovearth]

Jonny Lipford Thanks so much😊🙏🏻

[@slothflutes222]

Hi Jonny, was wondering if I could send you one of my flutes here from Australia no change to you would a review from you.. anyway if you please send me your email so I can get you postal address ..cheers and flute on.

[@terrybyrd5105]

Do you do drones?

[@JonnyLipford]

I recently gave a Zoom workshop on drones. Currently the next workshop is sold out. There may be an online course available for drones in the near future. Stay tuned!www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-flute-lessons

[@si6116]

Someone tell me to choose Am for first biggner.is it rigjt?

[@JonnyLipford]

A minor is a common place to start with a Native flute. In fact, that's what I start most of my students with and prefer to use in workshop environments. While most people like the sounds of the lower flutes, they can sometimes be a struggle to play as they are larger and the holes are more spread out. This is commonly a problem for women, who typically have smaller hands in general. However, it really depends on the person.

[@si6116]

@@JonnyLipford thank your mail .

[@scottdickerson266]

Yes please help me I bought my first Flute from Butch hall. I can't read music but I have a very refined ear can you please point me to a clean sounding flute in F minor & G minor. And what bass flute would you recommend for a beginner.

[@JonnyLipford]

I do sell flutes from Butch Hall in different levels of price and sound characteristics. This concert-tuned G has a more refined sound than the lesser priced "Little-series" flutes. It is currently available in G. www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-style-flutes/products/cedar-concert-native-american-style-flute-mid-g4 As far as a Bass flute, if you are just starting, trying a flute in the highest key considered a bass might be a good idea. I have this flute available in Low C from Ron Stutz. Beautiful clean voice here. www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/collections/native-american-style-flutes/products/native-sunrise-flutes-mid-low-range There are currently no F flutes available but I do have a number of F#s in different price ranges. Also, I would love to reiterate the concept that you do not need to be able to read classical music notation to play this instrument, but you can get great enjoyment from learning to read NAF Finger Tab to start. If you would like some help with this, please consider this course for beginning players:www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/products/beginning-flute-course

[@scottdickerson266]

@@JonnyLipford you're awesome thank you very much for your time

[@KarenGarcia-jy4vg]

Where do you buy them?

[@JonnyLipford]

HI Karen, I sell some flutes on my website: jonnylipfordmusic.com and also can recommend a few flute makers to you if you're looking for something specific. :)

[@oshonaam]

you are best love you

[@JonnyLipford]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@miguelirizarry4412]

Why so many flutes?

[@JonnyLipford]

Ah, you know the NAF joke, they're like potato chips! You can't have just one! ; ))) Seriously though, every flute has a different voice. When you consider how many different makers, woods, keys and tunings there are, it's not hard to build quite a collection. As a professional musician, I really do make good use of so many too. Thank you so much for tuning in! I truly appreciate your patronage on my site!