May 7, 2014 at 2:36 p.m.
Learn to play the Native American flute at School of the Arts
Learn to play the Native American flute at School of the Arts
By By Daryl Youngstrum-
Fernandez (Wiciwen Apis-Mahwaew) is an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation and celebrated Native American artist. His musical honors include 2006 Best Male Artist of the Year at the Native American Music Association awards, and recognition as best pop, folk, country and contemporary instrumental performer at the Indian Summer Music Awards. He is skilled on native flute, guitar, and vocals, and every year he tours internationally to perform. He will teach two classes at School of the Arts at Rhinelander: Finding Your Voice Through Native Flute: First Experience and Finding Your Voice Through Native Flute: The Journey Continues.
Finding Your Voice: First Experience has been a School of the Arts offering for beginning students since 2012. Finding Your Voice: The Journey Continues is new to School of the Arts this year and is for intermediate to advanced students.
"The Native American flute has been with the Menominee and other Native American nations for many generations," Fernandez said. "It is an important part of Menominee cultural expression."
Novice players should not be intimidated by the prospect of learning to play the instrument, he said. "Most people can very quickly connect with the instrument. The Native American flute has a beautiful, haunting sound that connects very deeply with nature, and you can very quickly find your own personal voice through it."
"You can acquire the essential skills to play very quickly when provided with a few shortcuts. Of course, like all musical instruments, if you want to become highly proficient with the Native American flute it takes years of devotion and experimentation, but the ultimate goal is to have fun and enjoy the beauty of music."
Most Native American flute music is played with the flute as a solo instrument. When his students perform with the flute in an ensemble, he allows each student to solo supported by his guitar.
Once the students are comfortable with the instrument, Fernandez says that the next step is to learn to compose music that can be performed on the flute. "The basic difference between the first course (First Experience) and the second (The Journey Continues) is that in the more advanced course I strongly emphasize phrasing for composition," he said. "It is important for the students to see how easy it is to formulate their own ideas into songs. Of course, there are other (playing) techniques that we will explore as well."
Flutes for these courses are available for rent or purchase, and personal flutes in the key of A minor may be used.
Registration information for this and other School of the Arts at Rhinelander courses is available at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies website soawisconsin.org. Students may also register through the registration desk (608) 262-2451.
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