Native American Music
Flutes
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Sounds Of Native American Music Through The
Ages
For the Native American, song is traditionally the chief means of
communicating with the supernatural powers, and music is seldom performed for
its own sake; definite results, such as the bringing of rain, success in battle,
or the curing of the sick, are expected from these sounds. There are three classes of
songs—traditional songs, handed down from generation to generation; ceremonial
and medicine songs, supposed to be received in dreams; and modern songs, showing
the influence of European culture. Songs of heroes are often old, adapted to the
occasion by the insertion of the new hero's name.
There are, however, several instruments
that are integral to the traditional sounds, often as accompaniment. Drums, rattles,
and flutes are the most common traditional instruments played, but certain
peoples have distinct instrumental traditions and legends related to their
instruments. Locally found material is used to make these instruments. The
following is a brief overview of the instruments.
Drums
Simple skin drum: These drums
are used in the central area east of the Rockies and in the Northern
Plains. They can consist of a singled tanned skin tied to four stakes that
are planted in the ground or held by four people as another strikes it.
Frame drum: A frame drum maker
stretches cow, elk, horse, or deer hide tightly over a frame, sews it
together, and adds a carrying handle to the frame. These drums are usually
about four inches deep and as much as 30 inches in diameter. Some two-head
and single-head drums are made from sections of hollowed-out logs (called
log drums)
Water drum: The Indian water drum sounds different from any other kind of drum. It is made in
several ways, including using an iron kettle as the body. It is partially
filled with water, and tanned buckskin is stretched over it. The drums are
played with a thin drumstick that has a loop on the end. Some groups have
also made water drums from hollow logs.
Square drum: Indians on
the Pacific coast sometimes use wooden boxes for drums. Some of the boxes
are made from cedar and are large enough that several men can sit on them
and drum with their feet.
Rattles
Container rattles: These include
but are not limited to rattles made of gourd, turtle shell, rawhide, and
horn. Gourd rattles are typical in the southwestern United States. The
gourd rattle maker dries the plant, scrapes out the pulp, fills it with
seeds or pebbles, and inserts a handle. Turtle rattles are usually made
from the shell of a turtle, with pebbles secured inside. Rawhide rattles
are made from two pieces of hide sewn together, shaped and dried, and then
filled with pebbles. Plains people created rattles made from buffalo horn
that they scraped, dried, and filled with pebbles.
Deer hoof rattles Rattles can
be made from deer hooves. The maker drills a number of holes along a stick
or other material, and then attaches the hooves, which rattle when shaken.
Flutes
Indian flutes look something
like a recorder. The flutes can be made of many materials, including wood,
clay, and bamboo. Some flutes have been made from the hollowed-out bones
of birds. The construction of each type of flute (such as the number of
holes and flute length) varies among the makers and the regions.
Other Instruments
Rasps and Whistles: A rasp is
usually a notched stick that is scraped by another stick. A player can
also hold the rasp against the head of a drum to help add resonance. The
player then rubs a bone against the notched stick to make a rattling
sound. The Ute people call this kind of instrument a "bear
growler" because it is used to imitate the sound a bear makes.
Fiddle: Both the Apache people
and Inuit of the Arctic created a type of fiddle. It may have been based
on the violins carried by European settlers and sailors.
Clapper: Another kind of percussion instrument is a clapper. A stick is split partially in
half on one end, and is struck against another object to make the sound.
It is similar to a vibraslap.
Modern Indians use
instruments that any other kind of musician in mainstream popular culture
might use, including guitars, pianos, drums, synthesizers, computers, and
so on, depending on the style being incorporated in the composition or
performance. It is important to remember that this culture
today is constantly changing and is just as innovative as any other
thriving culture in this diverse country.
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