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MusicSmith Flutes | A Native American Style Flute | Handmade by Dave Lusk

Native American flutes were first created and played by Native American people. They are instruments of beauty, magic, ceremony, healing, and entertainment. They bring out the music that dwells in all of us.

This instrument has a full, warm sound. Made from western red cedar, it’s protected with non-toxic waterproofing, inside and out. Each flute is embellished with a unique design handcrafted with a wood-burner. A thumb-rest is offered. This innovation stabilizes and balances the flute while playing by positioning your lower hand correctly. Place the thumb of the lower hand against the bottom of the thumb-rest. The index finger covers the hole right above.

Playing your Flute |There are no wrong notes! All notes harmonize melodically. Reading music is not needed.

• Press your lips against the mouthpiece to gently seal it.
• Cover the holes with the finger pads, not the tips or nails.
• Adjust the air pressure until notes sound clear.
• The note played with all the holes closed is the key of the flute.  It’s called the flute’s fundamental note.
• Use the fingerings shown below. Cover and uncover the holes one at a time in order.
• The third hole down on a 6-hole flute always stays covered to play the minor pentatonic scale and uses all the notes shown on the chart.
• For a major scale, start and land on the second note up from the bottom of the flute.
• Start going up and down the flute, slowly and evenly. Gradually pick up speed. Next, vary the rhythm. Play melodies by playing the basic scale but put intervals between the notes. For example, cover all the holes followed by another finger pattern. Doing so will always sound melodic and harmonic.
• Embellishments and more scales can be added for more musicality once you’re proficient.
• Have fun!

Tip: The third hole down always stays covered in the minor pentatonic scale and uses all the notes shown on the chart. For a major scale, start and land on the second note up from the bottom of the flute. Once proficient, embellishments and more scales can be added.

Caring for your Flute | Keep your flute at a steady temperature. Do not let it get too hot or cold. Temperature variations expand and contract wood. This can cause your flute to crack. If the flute is cold, warm it with your hands and gently blow warm air into it. Do not leave it in a car when it’s either hot or cold. Avoid direct sunlight.

Remove the block after playing to dry the flute out. Wipe off any moisture. To retie the block, position the front edge of the block at the back edge of the sound hole. Tie tightly. Experiment with its placement for the best tone. Push it slightly forward to raise the pitch higher (sharp), move it back to lower it (flat).

Caring for Yourself  with Hand Warm-ups | Here’s an easy 5-minute series of hand movements & mudras to help your fingers, wrists & hands with easy-to-remember names for each one. Great for musicians & anyone with stiff, painful fingers, hands or wrists. Learn the Hakini Mudra, Beak, Bug, Claw, Paw, Seed, Web, Wings, and the Eagle & Hridaya mudras. Thank you Christine Stevens at Upbeat Drum Circles for interviewing me.

Troubleshooting | Fuzzy, unclear, sour, airy, or shrillness

• Cover the holes completely or else it will squeak or sound airy.
• Adjust air pressure. Are you blowing too softly or too much?
• Make sure the block is tied down tightly (see above).
• Poor tone quality occurs when moisture collects inside the flute, especially between the mouthpiece and the block. To remove it, hold the flute tightly and briskly shake the whole flute. Try covering the sound hole with a finger and blow hard to push the moisture out. Release your finger while still blowing. Wipe off.
• The bottom note is the hardest to play. It’s important to make sure all the holes are completely covered. Use a mirror. This note will jump an octave if too much air is used.

MusicSmith Flutes info, tips, etc. (pdf to download/print)

Music Lessons |  Music lesson details and registration

Handy Links

• MusicSmith Flutes Info 
• Store| Native American style wood flutes for sale
• Playing tips, flute care, troubleshooting
• Flute Music | Scales | Embellishments | Lessons
• Musical Sound Bath Tune Up
• Music lesson details and registration
• Contact us anytime.

Contact us anytime about flutes & lessons.

By appointment only ♥ Not a retail store.

Musical Sound Bath Tune Up
with Julie Lusk

Sound Healing is a wonderful way to improve your wellbeing.  During a musical sound bath experience, you will …

Tune yourself with a musical blend of harmonizing tones.

Feel the pure pleasure of letting your heart sing & dance.

Experience a play of enchanting sounds from flutes, chimes, bells, drums, tuning forks, voice, harmonium, and the harp.

Get cozy. Lie down, sit, or move.

Play along with a rattle, drum, or voice. Write, draw, or color. Daydream. Free your imagination.

Enjoy an a-musing path of tuning your inner rhythm, energy & flow.

If online, headphones, earbuds, or external speakers optimize the sound.

Schedule  

• Book a personal sound healing session:  In-person & Zoom sessions are customized just for you.  Contact Julie for details and scheduling.
  
• Concerts:  In-person & Zoom. For groups or individuals.
  
• Customized Musical Blessings: A Musical Blessing is a personalized, improvised piece/peace. The melodies played can be based upon one’s name, an affirmation or intention, a dream or prayer, or whatever intuitively transpires. Guided imagery can be offered for inspiration and guidance. They are offered for individuals or groups. During a group, a customized musical blessing is played for each person while everyone else enjoys listening to beautiful, healing music. It’s wonderous.

Albums

Blue Moon Rising | Enjoy 16 beautiful tracks of Native American style flute music played by Julie Lusk accompanied by the relaxing sounds of Mother Nature as the backdrop. Digital and CD formats available | Flute music, guided relaxation and imagery, and yoga nidra.

Julie’s Music History
Julie has loved exploring music since childhood. She babysat 5 boys when she was in 6th grade for 50 cents an hour to buy her first stereo.

Julie studied piano from elementary school through college. Crushed but undeterred, she was rejected from the choir in 5th grade. Recitals were a disaster with awful memories of freezing up like a statue. Even though her self-esteem hurt for decades, she never gave up. For years, she only played for her pets.

Julie started playing classical flute when the Lusks owned a music store. She began playing Native American flutes about 10 years ago. Julie also plays harmonium, Tibetan bowls, chimes, didgeridoo, drums, and the harp. Julie was a Drums for Fun member for 15 years.

Julie is Certified by the Sound Healing Academy (SHA) in the Foundations of Integral Sound Healing for Multi Instruments – Level 1. The course covered how to give individual and group sound healing sessions. It included how to play singing bowls, tuning forks, gongs, chimes, frame drum, and voice.  Julie studied The Art of Creating Sound Healing Journeys With the Power of the 5 Elements, a 7-week course led by Bodhi Starwater/Setchko and Music Medicine, a 7-week course by Laura Inserra.  She completed SHA’s 30-hour course in Integral Sound Healing with Tuning Forks in addition to John Beaulieu’s 4-week tuning fork course.

Contact Julie anytime

Handy Links

• MusicSmith Flutes Info 
• Store| Native American style wood flutes for sale
• Playing tips, flute care, troubleshooting
• Flute Music | Scales | Embellishments | Lessons
• Musical Sound Bath Tune Up
• Music lesson details and registration
• Contact us anytime.

Contact us anytime about flutes, lessons & concerts

By appointment only ♥ Not a retail store.