The Native American
Flute: Myth, History, Craft
by C.S. Fuqua
2007 © Awe-Struck Books: 120 pages,
Reviewed by C. S.
Meux, Ph.D.
There was a time in
Native American history when “Songs encompassed all social
aspects” and music was so important that “when a village
member returned from visiting another village, one of the first
questions from others would be, ‘What new song did you learn?’”
(p.58). This was a time when the Native American flute had unique
significance in Native American culture and before non-Native
historians distorted large portions of the history by creating
fantasies that never existed. Now a book has come along to help
bring a new perspective on Native American life with a focus on
the Native American flute. The book The Native American Flute:
History, Culture and Myth by author, composer, crafts person and
musician, C.S. Fuqua, presents as accurately as possible the factual
history of the Native American flute through a lens of the history,
myth and culture of the Native American people.
The seductive, melodious
tone of the Native American flute made it a favorite musical instrument
in Native American culture. Often referred to as “the Love
Flute,” its hauntingly beautiful tone was said to cause a
person to “act in a manner they would not normally act”
(p. 24). Yet, finding information on the true background of this
instrument ranged from being difficult to almost impossible to
find, until now. After discovering a handcrafted Native American
flute in a flea market in the 1990’s, Fuqua decided to provide
information that would “enable readers to make a flute that
produces a good sound and plays easily” and to also explore
“the history and mythology behind the instrument, examining
the flute’s development and feminine side.”
The book does in
fact, feature the prominent role held by women as anchors of Native
American family life and as musicians and flautists. These roles
are the thread used by Fuqua to weave insights into the rise,
demise, and current resurgence of Native American flute playing
from ancient to contemporary times. Even today, Native American
women musicians play a prominent role in bringing the music of
the Native American flute back into the contemporary mainstream.
Yet, the cultural hardships faced are historic. This was related
in the book by the story of Native American flautist and Grammy
Award winner, Mary Youngblood, who was once “un-hired”
from a concert when a lesser known Native American male flautist
refused to play on the same stage with her (p. 72).
Still, after decades
of being held in cultural shadows, Native American music is experiencing
a resurgence which makes The Native American Flute: History, Culture
and Myth a timely book for music lovers, history and mythology
buffs as well as those interested in Native American female history,
crafts, and ethnology. Readers will be able to design a Native
American style flute using the detailed lists of necessary tools
and resources accompanied by illustrations and line drawings.
Fingering and tuning charts along with tablatures of both Native
American and familiar songs expand this book into a short practical
flute music course.
To actually have an
inner glimpse of the concept, stories, and thinking patterns that
formed a culture is a rare honor. Fuqua has provided such a glimpse
into Native American culture in this well-referenced book. Armed
with the new information provided by The Native American Flute:
History, Culture and Myth you might find that others will soon
start asking “what new song did you learn?” as you make
flute crafting and playing a more intense part of your life.