Description: Hand Carved ZUNI Inspired Replica Flute. Zuni flutes are a bit rare. I have only found a few images of original flutes. They all have a sound mechanism like a whistle. I decided to go a different and unique route with the sound mechanism. Instead of a wooden block I stretched thick leather across the flue and tied it on with a wide leather thong. The leather block actually plays the same as a wooden block, but is a very unique feature. Replica has a fundamental note of F#4. Another unique feature is the Gourd bell at the distal end of the flute. All the original Zuni flutes I have seen have this gourd attached. I purchased gourds, cut them, removed the seeds, and dried them in the hot Mojave Desert sun. This unique colored gourd has a slight affect on tuning. Removing the gourd will make the flute go about 20 cents sharp, but each note is still in tune with each other.Length of 24.5 inches with a 7/8" bore.5 finger holes. Minor Pentatonic tuning. The Zuni flutes I have seen have 4 finger holes and are at very wide spacing. They look difficult to play. I decided to make my flute to modern pentatonic standard for playablity.The simple block is thick leather with white leather tie, instead of a wooden block. The body of the flute is Western Red Cedar.Finish is satin shellac for a natural look.Leather bindings for decorations.The SAC and Sound chamber were torched and shellaced to seal them from moisture. This is a unique and striking flute and is great sounding. Tuned very well. +/-15 cents.All my flutes are hand made and one of a kind. I use only traditional woods in the construction of my replicas. Native Americans used woods like Pine, Cedar, Aspen, and Redwood because they were softwoods and easier to hand carve. I use the same woods. I research antique Plains Style Native American flutes in museums and private collections. Replicas are a real challenge to build as I usually have limited information about each flute. Most times I may know only the length or key or only have photos, but rarely do I have more than this to go on. Because of this limitation, I make my replicas as close to the original flute as I can, but they are rarely an exact replica. I call it "creating the flavor of the original." Almost all my flutes are completely hand built using no power tools. I carve the sound chambers with a scorp chisel and shape the exterior with antique hand planes. I torch the interior sound chambers and apply shellac to seal them from moisture. I also tune the flutes with burning rods in the sound holes. I hand sand using 3 different grits and hand rub on the non-toxic shellac finish. Native Americans hand carved their flutes and most have many imperfections. I leave a few imperfections in the wood to give the flute a more authentic look. Native flutes also did not have high gloss finishes like many flute builders use today. I use only all natural shellac to create a realistic natural finish. If you are looking for a perfect flute made on a computer controlled lathe and sprayed with high gloss lacquers, you probably want to look elsewhere. I take pride in that my flutes look like real native flutes from over 100 years ago. Besides playing very nicely, my flutes make great display pieces.To visit my Ebay store to see every flute I offer currently go to: ebay.com/str/zionwindflutes To visit my website and see every replica I have made Copy and Paste this Link: davewhitakerphotography.smugmug.com/Replicas-of-Native-American-Style-Flutes To hear audio of this flute Copy and Paste this Link to my Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/shorts/Z98HfK9tsRo?feature=shared
Price: 119 USD
Location: Hurricane, Utah
End Time: 2024-11-25T02:50:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Color: Natural wood color
Item Length: 24.5"
Brand: Zion Wind Flute
Design: Hand made
Bore Size: 3/4"
Type: Native American Style Flute
Body Material: Western Red Cedar
Instrument: Native American Style Flute Replica
Features: Colorful Gourd distal end, leather block and bindings
Experience Level: Beginner, Advanced
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Finish: Shellac
Key: F#4