Mel Bay Flute Magic: An Introduction to the Native American Flute [Paperback]

Tim R. Crawford (Author), Kathleen Joyce-Grendahl (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

This book contains 20 chapters addressing everything from the origin and design of the Native American flute to a method for learning to play the instrument and read its music. Together with the fingering exercises presented in eight lessons, a number of tunes are included for both the five and six-hole Native American flute. Old standards, indigenous music, and original compositions are presented, meeting the needs of beginning to advanced players. This useful and practical guide to the Native American flute is suitable for either individual or classroom instruction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications; 2 edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786658169
• ISBN-13: 978-0786658169
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #714,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just an Excellent Source of Information on the NAF, October 9, 2005

By 

Sakoieta Widrick "Sakoieta' Widrick" (Grand River Six Nations Iroquois Territory, Ontario) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Flute Magic: An Introduction to the Native American Flute (Paperback)

I just recently picked up the book, Flute Magic "An Introduction to the Native American Flute" by Tim Crawford with Dr. Kathleen Joyce-Grendahl as the Editor. I must say I have played flute for many years and stayed away from books. I am a completely self-taught fluteman, except where I have learned from other flute makers or players. But I find this book, even better than the book put out by Nakai. The two of these books together make excellent resource material for the NAF flute If you want a book that gives you the whole set of basics for not only history of the flute, but some of the intricacies necessary for making flutes, excellent teaching methods if you are wanting to learn how to read tablature, etc. It does an excellent job of laying out these basics with drills and songs for both the five hole flute and the six hole flute, as well as addressing the four hole flute rather well. Like I said, I have played for many years. recorded, and performed, but this flute book, definitely will help get me even further advanced than I am right now. I only wish I would have picked it up sooner. this book, along with Nakai's book are musts for the serious flute player today.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, "must have" resource., July 3, 2005

By 

Russell Wolf "Flute Maker, Author" (Lewisville, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mel Bay Flute Magic: An Introduction to the Native American Flute (Paperback)

This is the most complete book available on the Native American Flute. History, design, care, lessons, music, etc... The history presented reflects the authors significant original research on the Native American Flute. I found the lessons in Nakai Tablature were more easily understood than Nakai's own book. Nakai Tablature is the most widely used tablature for the native flute (another reviewer mistakenly refered to it as classical notation, which it is not). Finger chart tab is also available along with many other resources. A must have book for anyone interested in the Native American Flute.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Start With, June 30, 2005

By 

Judy C. Prindle "Hia Keeyah Weya" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Flute Magic: An Introduction to the Native American Flute (Paperback)

I found this book to be a great place to start with information about the Native American Flute regardings history, notation and sources to purchase and find more information.

This book is not extensive in any aspect but covers many things and introduced to me avenues for future research.

This book is not designed to be a book of music but an introduction to the music of the Native American Flute. I appreciated the fact that he covered some of the basics of music. I have used his material in teaching others how to play and reccomend this book for a great place to start your flute journey or a gift for someone who you know is looking for a place to start.