This traditional southeastern-style Native American flute, keyed in the pentatonic scale, was commonly found among First Nations people throughout the southeastern United States. This type of end-blown flute is easy to learn to play and is quite similar to playing a Recorder. Flutes smaller in diameter will have higher tones (Key of ‘B’, ‘Bb’, & ‘C’) and will always be made of rivercane. They will tend to be more easily heard across greater distances and louder when playing with percussionists. Flutes larger in diameter will tend to be quieter and will have more mellow tones (Key of ‘A’, ‘F’, ‘F#’, ‘G’, ‘G#’, & ‘E’). These deeper toned flutes are made from either black bamboo or clump bamboo.
I also make this style of deeper toned flute with seven holes (six on top, thumb hole on the bottom), in the diatonic scale. This non-traditional style is only available in the keys of ‘A’ & ‘G’.
Availability of materials and your stated key preference will determine what type of bamboo or cane I will use in crafting your flute. What key your flute is in, is really only important if you plan to play your flute along with another flute player and you know what key their flute is in, OR if you wish to play with a guitarist or pianist, for example, and your flute must be keyed to their instruments, OR if you just happen to want a flute to be in a certain key. If a specific key is crucial, you may wish to e-mail first to verify that I have the correct size of rivercane and/or bamboo in stock.
Each flute is uniquely decorated, using only fire to create patterns and designs on the outer shell of the bamboo or cane. I was first inspired to make this style of flute from listening to the serene flute playing of my good friend and mentor, Snowbear Taylor, as well as, the late, Robert Two Hawks - an incredible flute maker and musician.
Pentatonic Love Flute Song Clips
Pentatonic LOVE FLUTES are made from Rivercane (Arundinaria gigantean) Key of high ‘C’, ‘B’, and ‘Bb’ (five holes only).
To see a larger photo of this flute, click on the picture above.
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE – Key of Bb To hear a ‘Bb’ flute music sample from the ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, by Hawk Hurst, click on the play button above. (Return Once More)
Pentatonic LOVE FLUTES are made from either Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) or Clump Bamboo (Fargesia murielae), depending upon availability of type. Key of ‘A’, ‘F’, ‘F#’, ‘G’, ‘G#’, ‘E’ (either five or six holes).
To see a larger photo of these flutes, click on the picture above.
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE – Key of F# To hear an ‘F#’ music sample from the ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, by Hawk, click on the play button above. (Ode to Eastwood)
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE – Key of A To hear an ‘A’ music sample from the ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, by Hawk, click on the play button above. (Loon Longing)
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE – Key of E To hear an ‘E’ music sample from the ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, by Hawk, click on the play button above. (Isle of Palms)
Diatonic Love Flute Song Clips
Diatonic LOVE FLUTES are made from either Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) or Clump Bamboo (Fargesia murielae), depending upon availability of type. Key of ‘A’ & ‘G’ (six holes on top, thumb hole on the bottom).
DIATONIC LOVE FLUTE – Key of A To hear an ‘A’ music sample from the ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, by Hawk, click on the play button above. (Amazing Grace)
Drone Flutes
A traditional end-blown, two-chambered flute, (pentatonic scale) with five holes, but with another flute, in the same key attached. When blown from the end, the two flutes, which are connected together, create a haunting resonance. Almost as easy to play as the single, Love Flute. This is a contemporary idea, in regards to Native American style flutes, but drone flutes similar in nature can be found throughout Africa, India, and the Middle East.
Each flute is uniquely decorated, using only fire to create patterns and designs on the outer shell of the bamboo or cane. I first received the inspiration to make this style of flute from my friend, Orea Van Doren, a talented flute-maker and bagpipe player of shared Cherokee and Scottish descent.
Drone Flute Song Clips
DRONE FLUTE made from RIVERCANE (Arundinaria gigantean) Key of high ‘B’/‘Bb’ (five holes only).
To see a larger photo of this flute, click on the picture above.
DRONE FLUTE – Key of ‘Bb’ To hear a music sample from the ‘Buffalo Dreaming’ CD, by Hawk, click on the play button above.
DRONE FLUTE made from either Black BAMBOO (Phyllostachys nigra) or Clump BAMBOO (Fargesia murielae), depending upon availability of type. Key of ‘A’, ‘F#’, & ‘G’ (either five or six holes).
Order Information
It is helpful to receive notice of your pending order by e-mail, so that I can prepare to start on your flute once payment has been made. Be sure and enclose your email, shipping address, and phone number in your communication and when submitting payment. Please allow TWO to THREE weeks for delivery. I prefer to contact all customers, preferably by e-mail and prior to shipping the flute/s. If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Me.
PAYMENT: You may submit payment by using PAYPAL (see below to order), or by sending a check or money order made out to Hawk Hurst, for the full amount. Add $15 for shipping charges and mail to:
Hawk Hurst
16 Halsey Street
Charleston, SC 29401
INTERNATIONAL FLUTE ORDERS
Click the "Add to Cart" button at the bottom of the Order Information section, to add an additional $20 to cover the extra cost of International shipping fees.
LOVE FLUTE Rivercane - Key of C/C# - $55
LOVE FLUTE Rivercane - Key of Bb/B - $60
LOVE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of A - $70
LOVE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of F/F# - $70
LOVE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of G/G# - $75
LOVE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of E - $75
DIATONIC LOVE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of A - $80
DIATONIC LOVE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of G - $80
DRONE FLUTE Rivercane - Key of Bb/B - $80
DRONE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of A - $90
DRONE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of F/F# - $90
DRONE FLUTE Bamboo - Key of G/G# - $90
INTERNATIONAL FLUTE ORDERS Click this "Add to Cart" button for required $20 fee for International Shipping.
Rivercane & Bamboo
My flutes are made from either a type of wild, indigenous grass, known as RIVERCANE (Arundinaria gigantea), or from either of rivercane’s East Asian cousins, BLACK BAMBOO (Phyllostachys nigra) or CLUMP BAMBOO (Fargesia murielae). Known as "ihy'a" in the Cherokee language, rivercane provided indigenous peoples in the region with an important resource for making baskets, blowguns, flutes, arrows, spears, and much more. Rivercane grass once prospered along the banks of nearly every waterway throughout the Southeastern United States. Today it is much less common due to agriculture and commercial development along creeks and streams.
Rivercane is often confused with its closest grass relative bamboo, which was most likely brought to the Americas by the first Asian immigrants or to serve as scaffolding at rock quarries. Black bamboo is a favorite garden ornamental in both China and Japan, and can easily grow up to a height of thirty feet with a diameter of up to two feet. It is often used in flute making because of its natural beauty. I enjoy working with Black and Clump Bamboo because they are both resistant to cracking and show a wonderful durability over time. I have found that both rivercane and bamboo are best cut in the winter months, in order to allow them to cure properly. It is best if each piece can dry for several months before being crafted into flutes.
Flute Care
As with all cherished musical instruments, it is always best to avoid storing your flute in sunny or in extremely hot locations for long periods of time. It is best to store them away from ALL pets and ALL small children - they may not treat it as carefully, as it needs to be treated! You may wish to apply a small amount of Walnut oil over the entire flute if you are concerned that your flute may be drying out too much. Walnut oil is nontoxic and can be purchased at many grocery stores and most Health Food Stores. Walnut oil cannot hurt your flute, so if in doubt, go ahead and apply some. The advice provided above will help prevent your flute from cracking and will allow your flute to live a long, musical life.
The "bird", which is tied down with a piece of tanned leather, should sit directly over the "nest" and the first "egg" (the first hole, which is the one closest to the end you will be breathing into). It is important that the "bird" be tied down tightly, and that it sits directly on top of that first hole. The second hole (from the end you are blowing into) should be easy to see and uncovered. If you should happen to lose your bird, notify me - it is pretty easy to make a new one, and the cost of replacing it will be nominal.
Playing your Flute
When first beginning to play, cover all of the play holes (the five or six holes farthest from the end you are blowing into) with your fingers and gently breathe into the end of the flute. Slowly you can release one finger at a time, starting at the end farthest away from the end you are breathing into. There is lots more to it than that, but for now, begin with that. Practice, patience, and time will, no doubt, result in beautiful music escaping from your flute! May I also recommend the wonderfully complete, user-friendly book, “Flute Magic", for both beginners and advanced students. Written by Tim Crawford, his book can be found on Amazon.com.
Flute Legends
The Cherokee People, of the Southeastern Woodlands, often speak of this instrument as a gift from Woodpecker, while certain tribes of the arid Southwest credit Kokopelli, the humpbacked flute-player, with having brought this wonderful magic stick to the People. In the Great Plains, it was referred to by many of the Lakota and Cheyenne People as the “love” flute. Young men and women relied upon its charm and magic during courtship. It has often been associated with the Elk in the West and the Loon in the Northeast.
The traditional end-blown, two-chambered flute, with either five or six holes, is believed by many musicologists to be the same style that was made and most favored by native peoples throughout the Southeast, prior to European or African contact.
Sometimes made with only two or three holes, these flutes were often used to cast spells and confuse opponents during the intense stickball games, known as "the Little Brother of War", commonly contested between the First Nations people of the Southeastern Woodlands. Regardless of who brought the first flute to the People, we are all most certainly grateful for its gift!
Bookings & Orders
Hawk Hurst
16 Halsey Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-2821 E-MAIL
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