Ethnomusicology Instrument Repertoire

The Apache fiddle is the most sacred instrument to the Apache people. It is a dying tradition with only one maker left known to the outside world. made from an agave plant that has to be harvested at just the right time of year at the end of it’s life, with one horse hair string and decorated with indigenous Apache patterns based on the universe in Apache mythology. It is traditionally only played by men to court women. Mine is hand crafted by the last known Apache fiddle maker Anthony Belvado.

The Native American flute is one of the most sacred and important instruments to the Diné (Navajo) people. It is traditionally used for courtship, meditation, and celebration. It has a similar role in Diné society as the Apache fiddle does to the Apaches. The North American flute is a unique family of flutes known as duct flutes characterised by a duct mechanism instead of a fipple covered by a totem that concentrates the airflow. My flute is hand made by a Diné craftsmen who carved a turtle spirit for its totem.

The Anasazi flute is an ancient rim blown ancestral Pueblo flute found in Prayer Rock Arizona. It dates back to 700 A.D. and is the ancestor to modern Hopi rim blown flute. It has six holes with a very unique pentatonic major scale but can switch to a minor pentatonic Middle Eastern sounding scale. it’ tone is much lower and more airy than typical North American flutes and like all rim blown flutes it can reach two octaves and a half.

The Mojave flute is an ancient ancestral puebloan rim blown flute based on archaeological finds in the Mojave desert in Southern California. It has elements of both the Anasazi flute and the  flutes of California being quite long with a similar in tone and deepness to the Anasazi flute but has four holes characteristic of all Native California flutes. It’s scale is quite unique being similar to the European diatonic scale but has It’s top few notes missing before jumping to the next octave creating a minor sounding pentatonic scale more dark and almost Middle Eastern sounding compared to typical North American flutes.

The Medicine rattle is a very important instrument in Diné culture it is used in ceremonies.

The North American frame drum is a common instrument of the Diné (Navajo) people. It is used in meditation, ceremonies, medicine and celebration. It is one of the most common and sacred instruments played by the Diné and is the very heart of Diné music. mine is hand crafted by a Navajo maker from elk skin.