Meet The Children
I may call them "my children" but in reality they are the ones who teach me. Every instrument, has it's own song inside it. It's own energy and spirit waiting for you to "play it out". Many of flutes have traveled with me to Kauaii Hawaii, Mokulmne Wilderness in the California Sierras, Point Reyes National Seashore and Mnt. Tamalpaias in California, Mnt. Diablo in California, Sedona Arizona, Newport Oregon, Lake Tahoe Nevada, and a multitude of parks across California.
Below I have included all of my handcrafted wind and percussion instruments including ones that I made. If you're interested in any of the artisans I have included their links as well. Enjoy!
This flute from Laughing Crow (now in Taos, New Mexico) is stunning both in appearance and playability. Most flutes, no matter how high the quality" have inherent strengths and weaknesses. Some play well but are not aesthetically pleasing while others look like works of art and play like a paper towel tube. This flute has an amazing tone because it's made from African wenge (wen-gay) wood. It is one of the most comfortable playing flutes both in fingering and breath and the workmanship is superb.
This flute was used exclusively on the "WhisperLight volume 4 - Kokyo" meditation/quiet time CD. You can download a free excerpt MP3 of this song on the CD/Discography page.
Another beautiful and wonderfully playable flute by Laughing Crow. I love the offset mouthpiece so I can slide forward and grab the drone note only when I want it. Being able to go on and off the drone note makes for some very creative playing.
This eagle flute is certified Navajo made Jonah Thompson and I recently picked it up in Sedona, Arizone. It has a very nice warm tone that I didn't expect from a flute of that pitch and size. The rough carving of the eagle is also superb as it looks less "produced". This flute is also highly expressive in it's playability. Laughing Crow also sells this model along with six other totem selections through his website.
This flite was used in "The Gathering" off of my "Spirit of the Village Stone" CD. You can download a free full-length MP3 of this song on the CD/Discography page.
This authentic aboriginal didgeridoo comes from Australia and is handcrafted by the Naiuwa and purchased through Bushcrafts.com. Like traditional Native American flute and drum makers, the wood is gathered ceremonially and with great respect of the Earth Mother. The making and playing of one of these instruments is as much a spiritual journey as it is an artistic one. You can read about the beautiful Naiuwa traditions in the sacred gathering and crafting of the wood at Bushcrafts.com.
This didgeridoo will be featured in the song "Pele's Children" on my upcoming CD, "One Tribe" due for spring 2008 release. This didgeridoo is named "Little Rainbow" (serpent). The special tribal band on Naiuwa didgeridoos - a gift from a spirit woman - relates every instrument to the first one and serves as a spiritual link to the earth. The serpent itself also has the diamonds of the band. A truly sacred instrument that I am honored to play.
This flute is Ecuadorian in style (hence the fetish that looks Mayan/Aztec) and was made by Jose' Cabezas at AncientWinds.com. This particular flute has a very nice "breathy" quality to it. I met Jose while he was playing at the Benicia Farmer's Market in California. He not only makes this type of flute but also handcrafted "pan" style flutes and a variety of percussion instruments.
This flute was used in "Cassandra Wind Spirit" off of my "Spirit of nthe Village Stone" CD. You can download a free full-length MP3 of this song on the CD/Discography page. It will also be featured in my new upcoming meditation CD "WhisperingLight volume 6 - Kauaii".
This very well made baritone ocarina from Song Bird Ocarinas has a wonderfully warm sound. No harshness at all. People comment on it when I play live so I am looking forward to using it more on my next CD.
This Eagle Bone flute is also from Song Bird Ocarinas. Since eagles are endangered, the flutes are made out of ceramic. It has a joyful bird-like quality to it. I am actually using it in a game of "mimmic" with the mocking birds at my house. Lots of fun!
This Kestrel flute, which I named "Pele" after the Hawaiian goddess, is from Odell Borg at High Spirits. Odell's flutes are very well-known and they are as great sounding as they are ruggedly made. This flute is made of birch. I have a walnut bass flute listed below that is also from Odell.
This Condor Bass flute is also from Odell Borg at High Spirits. The tone on this flute is so deep and rich that it feels like it's going right through you. It's called a "Condor" flute but I named it Sleeping Bear and it is played in the song "Dreams of a Sleeping Bear" off of my "Spirit of the Village Stone" CD. You can download a free full-length MP3 of this song on the CD/Discography page.
LOTS More To Come!
