Customer Reviews

Mel Bay Flute Magic: An Introduction to the Native American Flute

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I rated this book with 3 stars because (1) it's not the most recent edition, (2) it's not spiral bound, and (3) if you want to hear the songs as played by the author, you have to buy not one, but two, CDs that come separately and are not even offered as options when you buy the book. Not much more is added in the newer edition, but it does come spiral bound, which is quite helpful when you're trying to keep the pages open to a particular song or exercise. Otherwise, there are lots of songs for 4-, 5-, and 6-hole Native American flutes, and the instruction is good. Recommended, with the above caveats.

This book provides a great overview and promotes complete understanding of the Native American Flute. It provides considerable detail in how the flute works and how to play the flute. There are plenty of practice charts for learning to key the notes and for learning to play songs. Further, it provides techniques for both beginning and advanced flute players. This is an excellent book for anyone desiring to play the Native American Flute.

I found this book very helpful as a first time Native American flute player. It is well-formatted for easy reading from a distance, there is an excellent explanation of how the flutes are played. I recommend it.

This artist who wrote the book is an accomplish Native Americn Flute player. His book is very informative and it also comes with a CD that allows you to practice the techniques that he is teaching you.

This is a very enjoyable, readable book with lots of diverse information about American Indian flutes and has many options for playing as well as many interesting and delightful songs to play. I have thoroughly enjoyed this music book. I like the picture of Kokopelli on the cover.

Was recommended for my son by one of his Native AMerican flute teachers. Very helpful to him. Arrived in perfect condition.

If you were expecting a book to learn how to build a flute, forget it. The book only glosses over history and construction. The book is basically a primer for a newbie that just wanted to learn about the Native American Flute and some suggestions as to how to play the new flute they purchased. If you want to learn how to build a flute get the Flute Shop. Not worth the trouble to return it. It at least has some good history lessons for the book shelf.