"The Healing Flute"
Ah ... Yes! It is true. Having traveled the world, including Asia, Europe, the Andes and the
American plains, I often remember a conversation with a great
medicine chief. As I recall, his comments went exactly as
follows... Discover how beautiful a flute sounds. No other instrument can
surpass its loveliness. The extreme simplicity and purity of its
tone sets it into a class by itself. No small wonder the flute is
associated with spirituality and healing. Take the flute into hand. Place it to the lips. Begin to
blow sweet soothing melodies. If at the outset you are tense,
worried, upset, distraught, or nervous, don't be concerned. You
will come away calm and peaceful after a little playing. The flute is medicine. It is better than prescription, opiates
or spirit liquor. When you finish playing there is a great feeling
of well being. Even when sick, playing makes one feel physically
better. Why does the flute have these healing properties? It is believed that the flute vibrations themselves are
health-giving on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels.
Those who hear the flute tend to float away on it's sound. It
carries them off and when they return they are happier, more at
peace with themselves and healthier. Often they are healed of sicknesses. The musician benefits
from better breathing. As he feels the vibrations from the flute and
absorbs them into his body, he becomes one with the flute, the earth
and the people. All flutes, from the simplest to the most complex, have these
properties. The simpler, less mechanized flutes, seem to be used
more frequently this way. This is probably due to their uses by
primitive societies that are more closely attuned to nature's
surroundings and remedies. It is not known how important hole placement is for healing
flutes. Certainly all forms have been used, i.e. diatonic,
pentatonic, tetra tonic, quartertone, etc. Some ancients have spoken
of certain hole placements and bore sizes as being more conducive to
specific medicinal applications than others. All agree that by nature the flute sound is the medicine.
Its skillful use by the musician (priest/healer) determines
its effectiveness. It is true that when a skillful artist plays,
there is magic and mystery. I have heard this mystical sound from
the desert, forest, mountain ridge as well as the concert hall.
Finally, many medicine flutes are highly decorated with
various talisman, amulets, significant charms or decorative baubles.
These add to the aesthetic appearance of a ceremonial flute, but do
not add to its powers. The power and magic are in its sound. While a
talisman hung from a flute (or anywhere for that matter) has a
cultural significance and may enrich the visual performance of a
ceremony, it is the flute sound alone that transcends and rises
above any cultural barriers imposed by the tribes of mankind. It is
flute sounds woven into melodic tapestries that soothe and heal the
body, soul, the spirit. From the letters of Jonathan C. Styles, Sergeant Major, US
Cavly (1839-1928).
Carl P. Strandberg,
Musician, Teacher, Craftsman flutemaker. You may reach, Buzz at: (623) 935-5736 Home Day and Night (623) 535-5936 For information about our many types of hand-crafted flutes,
music books, concerts or lectures please write to: Harmony Music Ranch and Studio N0TE: The above article has been reprinted for entertainment
purposes only. it should be considered as flute lore and legend. No
attempt has been made to verify the factual
basis of the article.
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Music Playing is "You're My Angel" written and performed by flutist