Native American Flute

The Native American flute uses a carved block fitted over the sound hole to channel the airstream directly, shaping the tone before the player's fingers are involved. The pentatonic tuning common to most designs makes it expressive from early on, while leaving real depth for experienced players to develop. The instrument has roots in the Indigenous cultures of the Great Plains and Southwest, where different nations developed their own forms and playing traditions. It is made and played widely today, both within those communities and beyond.