This unique workshop will provide each participant with a chance to create an authentic, Native American-style river cane flute. This Southeastern-style of pentatonic (5-hole) flute is end blown, easy to play, and very satisfying to make. The sound that resonates from these traditional, handcrafted instruments is hauntingly beautiful. This workshop will include creating, decorating, and learning to play the flutes.
Your flute will be made from either a type of wild indigenous grass, known as river cane (Arundinaria gigantea) or from its cousin, black bamboo, (Phyllostachys nigra). Both river cane and bamboo are specially selected and cut in the cold of winter, then stored for several months to dry out. Using only fire, each flute will be carefully decorated, further “curing” the cane and creating unique design patterns.
Flute Making & Playing: Hawk Interview
'Conversations' with Joan Mack: Aired 5/17/07 on WSCI Public Radio 89.3 FM.
Classes can been held at schools, homes, churches, summer camps, galleries, and even public parks. Workshops take from 3 to 5 hours, and will include making, decorating, and learning to play the flute. To set up a flute-making workshop in your community, you may Contact Hawk.
The cost of the workshop is $65 and pre-registration is required. Prices may vary, dependant upon travel time and the number of participants. Teachers and Scout Leaders are encouraged to ask for group discounts. Best for adults and students fourth grade and up.
Private flute-making and flute-playing lessons are available upon request. Please Contact Hawk.
The Legends
The Cherokee People often speak of the flute as a gift from Woodpecker, while the Lakota and Cheyenne historically referred to this instrument as the Love Flute, relying upon its charm and magic during ancient courtship rituals. Certain tribes of the arid Southwest credit Kokopelli, the humpbacked flute-player, with having brought this wonderful healing tool to the People. Regardless of who brought the first flute, we are forever grateful! 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 most favored by native peoples prior to African and European contact.
Learning to Play Your Flute
When first beginning to play, cover all of the play holes (the set of 2, 5, or 6 holes farthest from the end you are blowing into) with your fingers and gently breathe into the mouthpiece. Slowly you can release one finger at a time, starting at the end farthest away from the mouthpiece. Practice, patience, and time will, no doubt, result in beautiful music escaping from your flute. To further your learning, may we recommend a wonderful user-friendly book, entitled Flute Magic, by Tim Crawford.
This unique workshop will provide each participant with a chance to create an authentic, Native American-style ceremonial hoop drum. The sound that resonates from these instruments is absolutely wonderful and the method of tying which we use will keep your drum tight for years to com. Workshops take from 4 to 6 hours, and will include making, decorating, and learning to play the drum. I first learned to make this style of drum nearly 20 years ago from Jim Hickey, a master drum maker from the Pacific North West Coast. Jim learned to make this style from the ‘First Nations’ people of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The photos show the type of drum we will make and and how the skin will be bound to the frame. The round frames we use will be made from maple wood and tulip poplar, and will range in diameter from 15” to 18”. The skins we use will be from either American Bison (Buffalo), Elk, or Cow, dependant upon what is available at the time.
“Your encouragement and faith in our abilities will last a lifetime. Our drums are Perfect.” - Henry, Drum Maker
We will also construct our own drum beaters, so if you have a special stick or branch you may wish to bring it along. The stick needs to be strong but not too thick – remember you have to hold it. If too long, we can cut some off. Participants will also learn several methods of playing and using their drums.
“We really enjoyed the drummaking with you. My drum sounds great.” - Debi, Drum Making participant
Classes can been held at schools, homes, churches, summer camps, galleries, and even public parks. To set up a drum-making workshop in your community, you may contact Hawk. The cost of the workshop is generally around $120, per person, and pre-registration is required. Prices may vary, dependant upon travel time and the cost of the materials at the time of the workshop. Teachers and Scout Leaders are encouraged to ask for group discounts. Best for adults and teens.Participants will need to bring a lunch, snack food, and water.
Private drum-making and drumming lessons are available upon request. Please Contact Hawk.
“I haven't quit talking about my drum making experience. I am quite proud of how it looks... thanks ever so much for your part in my music adventure.” - Judith, Drum Making participant
Story-Gourd Making Workshop
Hawk has been sharing his joy of crafting and creating with gourds for nearly two decades. This hands-on workshop will provide each individual with a chance to create a unique and useful storytelling tool - the Story Gourd. Story Gourds can be used as a container to hold small fetish-type items, which can then be used in playing storytelling games. We will also etch and paint the outer surface of our gourds with symbolic pictures - each pictograph representing a particular memory or story in your repertoire. Using simple handmade tools, participants will have an opportunity to decorate their “gourdgeous” creations with stone pigments, relying upon ancient artistic techniques developed and refined by indigenous people all over the world. We will discuss the importance of symbolism throughout the workshop, as we work together to create our very own Story Gourd.
“This workshop was so unique - different from any Retreat that NCSG has ever held. It was the only one where we have "created" a story object with our "hands" and I loved it. We had such freedom to laugh, work and share at the same time.” - Sylvia Payne, Storyteller and workshop participant
“I had such a WONDERFUL weekend. Thank you for leading one of the best workshops the guild has ever had.” - Terry Rollins, Storyteller and workshop participant
Gourds have always played an important role in the lives of people, and many myths from Africa and Asia refer to them. The original first container, gourds are most likely the ancient ancestor of baskets, and pottery. Bird houses and bird feeders, bowls and containers, canteens and dippers, musical instruments, and much more can be created using this hardy fruit. Download an article by Steve Watts for more information about gourds.
“I was impressed with Hawk’s leadership techniques and conviviality. He certainly set and maintained the tone for the weekend.” - BobLee, Comedic Storyteller and workshop participant
“Hawk was so personable as a leader - and his knowledge of storytelling has so many veins, spreading out in so many directions. I could see how much he was enjoying himself.” - Sylvia Payne, Storyteller and workshop participant
Bookings & Orders
Hawk Hurst
16 Halsey Street
Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-2821 E-MAIL
