The Native American FLute: Understanding the Gift
Understanding the Gift ; by John Vames is the "best book on the planet" for learning to play the Native American Flute. I have tried and carried numerous other method books and have decided to carry this Book exclusively. There is none better in my opinion. If you are looking for lessons that you can see, hear and understand, this is the resource for you. You learn everything from proper finger placement, breathing, embellishments, and vibrato (the techniques to create those wonderful sounds you hear the best artists use). John explains and plays these techniques on the accompanying CD perfectly. You will also learn improvisation and you have the opportunity to learn and understand how to read "Nakai" Tablature for NAF. . John makes everything perfectly clear in the book and on the accompanying CD. Tap into the knowledge and 40 + years of experience of a master musician and instructor. You will not find a better Book to learn the Native American Flute with. **Once you have taken advantage of John's teaching acumen and have become proficient with the NAF, I highly recommend "Song For Koko: JAZZ", also by John. This resource will further reveal to you the art of improvisation (which is the essence of the NAF) using Jazz as the vehicle to further your performance skills. Do yourself a favor and pick up these Books today. You will be pleased with the results, and so will your audience." Richard Maynard, Flutemaker LAUGHING CROW FLUTES --Richard Maynard, Flutemaker Laughing Crow FLutes"This is the missing piece of work that the NAF community needed...this is the first system/book/cd" --Bob Bellus Sweet River SoundsNative American flute music has become an important aspect of the New Age and World music genres. What was once used by young warriors to sound out, quite literally, potential mates, is now used to produce haunting musical albums. In the past, many of the flute "how-to" manuals were written by musicians with little or no formal European music training. This manual closes that gap as the author, a highly experienced music educator, explains the instrument in both Native American terms and notation systems, as well as Western music theory analysis. It does a great job of explaining an almost mystical primitive musical instrument and system in a way that all cultures will understand. The accompanying audio CD is an absolutely necessary teaching aid which aptly demonstrates each lesson line upon line, precept upon precept. We rated this manual and CD a high four hearts. Bob Spear Publisher & Chief Reviewer HEARTLAND REVIEWS Leavenworth Kansas --BMolly Moon Arts & Publlishing SCottsdale Az 480 433-8666"This is the missing piece of work that the NAF community needed...this is the first system/book/cd" --Bob Bellus Sweet River SoundsNative American flute music has become an important aspect of the New Age and World music genres. What was once used by young warriors to sound out, quite literally, potential mates, is now used to produce haunting musical albums. In the past, many of the flute "how-to" manuals were written by musicians with little or no formal European music training. This manual closes that gap as the author, a highly experienced music educator, explains the instrument in both Native American terms and notation systems, as well as Western music theory analysis. It does a great job of explaining an almost mystical primitive musical instrument and system in a way that all cultures will understand. The accompanying audio CD is an absolutely necessary teaching aid which aptly demonstrates each lesson line upon line, precept upon precept. We rated this manual and CD a high four hearts. Bob Spear Publisher & Chief Reviewer HEARTLAND REVIEWS Leavenworth Kansas --Bob Spear, Publisher & Chief reviewer Heartland Reviews"This is the missing piece of work that the NAF community needed...this is the first system/book/cd" --Bob Bellus Sweet River SoundsNative American flute music has become an important aspect of the New Age and World music genres. What was once used by young warriors to sound out, quite literally, potential mates, is now used to produce haunting musical albums. In the past, many of the flute "how-to" manuals were written by musicians with little or no formal European music training. This manual closes that gap as the author, a highly experienced music educator, explains the instrument in both Native American terms and notation systems, as well as Western music theory analysis. It does a great job of explaining an almost mystical primitive musical instrument and system in a way that all cultures will understand. The accompanying audio CD is an absolutely necessary teaching aid which aptly demonstrates each lesson line upon line, precept upon precept. We rated this manual and CD a high four hearts.  Bob Spear  Publisher & Chief Reviewer  HEARTLAND REVIEWS  Leavenworth Kansas --Bob Spear, Publisher & Chief reviewer Heartland Reviews