“I am pleased to highly recommend Hawk Hurst’s flutes. Their simple, elegant, design follows the proven style of flute making, perfected over the long history of Spirit flutes around the world. Hawk imbues each flute with personal touches, fine tuning, and an honest love for each instrument he makes. I am the proud owner of eight of his flutes, with several more on order. His flutes beg to be picked up and played, and their mellow tones make playing them much more enjoyable.” - Jim P. Summerville. SC
Rivercane & Bamboo Love Flutes: Pentatonic & Diatonic Scales
This traditional Native American-style flute, keyed in the pentatonic (5-note) 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 (Arundinaria gigantean). 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 may be made from rivercane, but by necessity they are often made from either black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) or clump bamboo (Fargesia murielae).
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. 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’. I first learned how to make this style of flute from my friend, Kyle Cook, from Boone, NC.
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 a) plan to play your flute along with another flute player and you know what key their flute is in, or b) if you wish to play with a guitarist or pianist and your flute must be keyed to their instruments, or c) 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 me first to verify that I have the correct size of rivercane and/or bamboo in stock to create the desired key.
Pentatonic Love Flute Song Pictures & Clips
Higher Pitched, Pentatonic Love Flutes, Key of high ‘C’, ‘B/Bb’ are made from Rivercane (5 holes only).
To see a larger photo of this flute, click on the picture above.
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE - Key of Bb
To hear a music sample from Hawk’s ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD click on the play button above.
Lower Pitched, Pentatonic Love Flutes, Key of ‘A’, ‘F/F#’, ‘G/G#’, ‘E’ (6 holes).
Made from either Cane, Black, or Clump Bamboo, depending upon the availability of materials.
To see a larger photo of these flutes, click on the picture above.
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE - Key of F#
To hear a music sample from Hawk’s ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, click on the play button above.
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE - Key of A
To hear a music sample from Hawk’s ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, click on the play button above.
PENTATONIC LOVE FLUTE - Key of E
To hear a music sample from Hawk’s ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, click on the play button above.
To see a photo of what a flute in the key of ‘F#’, ‘A’, or ‘E’ looks like, click on the picture above.
Diatonic Love Flute Song Picture & Clips
Diatonic Flutes are made from either Black or Clump Bamboo depending upon availability of materials. Key of ‘A’ & ‘G’ (six holes on top, thumb hole on the bottom).
To see a larger photo of this flute, click on the picture above.
DIATONIC LOVE FLUTE - Key of A
To hear a music sample from Hawk’s ‘Mystic Serenade’ CD, click on the play button above.
Drone Flutes
A traditional end-blown, two-chambered flute, (pentatonic scale) with five or six 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 flute. This is a contemporary idea, in regards to Native American-style flutes, but drone flutes similar in nature can be found throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Flutes smaller in diameter (Key of ‘B/Bb’) will always be made of rivercane (Arundinaria gigantean). 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 may be made from rivercane, but by necessity, are often made from clump bamboo (Fargesia murielae). Each flute is uniquely decorated, using only fire to create patterns and designs on the outer shell of the bamboo or cane, then bound together with buckskin leather. 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 & Scottish descent.
Drone Flute Song Picture & Clips
Drone Flutes, Key of high ‘B/Bb’ (5 holes only) made from RIVERCANE.
To see a larger photo of a river cane drone, click on the picture above.
DRONE FLUTE - Key of ‘Bb’
To hear a music sample from Hawk’s ‘Buffalo Dreaming’ CD, click on the play button above.
Drone Flutes, Key of ‘A’, ‘F#’, & ‘G’ (5 or 6 holes). Made from Rivercane or Clump Bamboo, depending upon availability of material.
To see a larger photo of a rivercane drone, click on the picture above.
Order Information
It is helpful to receive notice of your pending order 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 e-mail 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 their flutes. 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 US shipping or $35 for International shipping 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 Information
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. Both Clump and Black Bamboo are 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 best to avoid storing your flute in extremely hot locations for long periods of time. It is best to store them away from pets and small children, as 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. 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, or block, 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 a user-friendly book, “Flute Magic”, written by Tim Crawford. Wonderful for both beginners and advanced students.
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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