Differences between learning to play a recorder and a Native American wooden flute?

Question

I have a fondness for Native American flutes and wanted to learn to play one. A friend heard me say that, and handed me a recorder that he had and said "here, try this and if you enjoy it then you can buy yourself a native american flute". Well, there are distinct differences between the two instruments, like the number of holes, the fingering, etc. Plus I am having a very difficult time learning to play the recorder and getting the fingerings right. It just sounds awful (but it isn't the recorder, when my friend plays it, it has a very nice tone). Does anyone have any experience with the differences in learning to play a recorder versus learning to play a Native American flute? Would a Native American flute be any easier to learn to play as opposed to learning to play a recorder? I have found numerous sources for NAF, many of them works of art in their own right, but hesitate to spend the $$$ if I can't learn to play it.

Answer 1

Hello,I play baroque style recorders and have played Native American style in the past; the biggest difference you will find is the different keys in which the instruments are voiced. You can get good tones with practice and patience. You may be having a problem with your embochere and air flow to get the good tones,just remember take your time it will not come overnight. The Native American Styles can be easier to play,if they are crafted well.I hope this helps at least a little. If you are looking for a good source of native music styles;check out Talking Taco Music,or Silver Wave Records.I hope this helps at least a little. Take Care,and goodluck.

Answer 2

The answer you chose as best is far from it.



Native American Flutes are generally tuned to a Minor Pentatonic Scale.



You can make your Recorder sound similar to a Native American Flute by simply limiting the notes you play to a Minor Pentatonic scale. On a Soprano, D Minor Pentatonic is among the easiest to play (D, F, G, A, C). E Minor Pentatonic (E, G, A, B, D), and A Minor Pentatonic (A, C, D, E, G) are also easy.



As long as you stick to the notes in a Minor Pentatonic scale, you can't technically play a "wrong" note.



Hope this helps.

Answer 3

In terms of difficulty of learning they are about the same. The recorder is much more "scientifically" designed - it can fairly accurately play the chromatic notes in the western scales. The Native flute is much more limited - it can sound beautiful but it's tones/notes are not in the usual western scales. If you learn recorder you can then also play the native flute.

Answer 4

Yes by all means that is perfectly fine you are merely just enjoying the culture and by playing you are also sharing the culture. I think thats wonderful. The only thing that would be upsetting is if you were trying to say or act like you are native american but you are not. You are just enjoying a wonderful piece of art.

Answer 5

if you couldn't start out well with the recorder it makes me doubt that you'll have any more luck with a native american flute. most third graders learn how to play recorders in their school music classes! i learned when i was in third grade, and i wasn't even taking it seriously. i don't know if the native american flute is more complicated or what, but the recorder is one of the easiest wind instruments to learn.