American Indian Flute
Lesson submitted by Carolyn Olson (Art teacher) and Blake Peterson (5th -12th grade teacher) of South Ridge School.
Students love music. Music education has typically brought early exposure to music by playing the recorder. The American Indian flute was chosen rather than the recorder because students have heard American Indian flute music in their homes or at community gatherings. The American Indian flute is the next most important instrument to the drum.
Objectives
- Students will make an American Indian flute.
- Students will complete a beaded band.
- Students will learn to play the flute and perform for the public.
Materials Needed
Resources
- Flute kits (see example)
- IC-Cel glue
- Hand drill with brad point drill bits 7/32", 1/4", & 9/32"
- Drill bit stops
- Countersink tool
- Set of 3 V-jigs
- Dowels
Art Materials
- Grid paper/colored pencils
- Sead beads - assorted colors
- #12 Needles
- B and D thread
- Beading loom
- Small saucer
- Scissors
- Leather hide
- Glover needles
- Imitation sinew/lighter
Activity Process
Motivation:
Search for flute music video and/or audio file example of Ojibwe or other American Indian tribes.
Demonstration:
Demonstrate assembly of flute as needed.
Activity:
- Assemble the flute kits with students. Drill and ream out flute finger holes. Add mouthpiece and secure the rooster.
- Have students create 4 or more original beadwork patterns on a prepared loom including repeating motifs that are 7 beads wide. The beads can be 2 1/2" long, sewn to leather that will then be tied on to the flute. The motif should include 3 colors that are important and have meaning for the student. No words/numbers.
- Have students practice their flutes with the music or band instructor, learning notation and how to read flute music.
- Students perform as a class during a community celebration.
Closure:
Students played a number of songs at the school's Spring Open House.
Checks:
Students are expected to participate in all activities to the best of their ability.
Vocabulary Words
- Bezhig (One, 1)
- Boozhoo (Hello)
- Giga-waabamin menawaa (See you again)
- Giga-waabamin naagaj (See you later)
- Ikidon miinawaa (Say it again, repeat)
- Makadewaa (Black)
- Midaaswi (Ten, 10)
- Miigwech (Thank you)
- Miskwaa (Red)
- Naanan (Five, 5)
- Niiyo (Four, 4)
- Niizh (Two, 2)
- Niizhwaaswi (Seven, 7)
- Ningodwaasoobii'igan (Six, 6)
- Nishwaaswi (Eight, 8)
- Niswi (Three, 3)
- Ozaawaa (Yellow)
- Ozhaawashkwaa (Blue or green)
- Waabishkaa (White)
- Waawaashkeshi (Deer)