Tribal, School, and Group Ordering

Playing together? Order the same key
One important consideration is, if your group will be playing the flutes together, it is important to buy flutes in the same key so they will harmonize. Tip: Some groups like to offer several different keys and break off into smaller groups or learn one on one with a teacher.

Age and flute size
The age of the participants can help determine which flutes to purchase. Our Basic Flutes and Flute Making Kits come in the same three keys. The key of A is the smallest and easiest to play, if the students are young, this may be the best choice. The key of G is our most popular key and we find that most people, young and old, can play this key. The key of F# is the largest and most difficult to play.

Tip: One fun way other Tribes have incorporated this key is to have students earn it by first learning and demonstrating they can play the key of A or G, the students then advance to this lower and more difficult key. We find that most people can continue
to move to lower and more difficult keys as long as they practice with easier keys first!

Flute making is messy!

The process of carving, sanding, and varnishing flutes can be a messy one so here’s what we recommend: Work in a large, well ventilated space without carpet on the floor. Tip: the cedar shavings are biodegradable so you can return them to nature when your project is finished. They also make excellent fire starter!

The sanding part of the process can get very dusty, so it is best to open the windows and wear masks or work outside if possible.

Varnishing the flutes can be messy and children should only varnish with adult supervision. You will need gloves, a mask, and a drop cloth (a tarp or plastic sheet work best). The flute kits are sealed in the slow air chamber which is the part you blow into, so you can apply any finish you want to the outside. Don’t use food oils as they can spoil.

When trying to decide whether to buy flute making kits or finished flutes for your group, here are a few things to consider.

Flute Making Kits:
Flute making is messy but rewarding. It will require access to a room with easily cleanable floors or a nice outdoor area. It is time-consuming, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the needs of the group. In my personal experience, it is possible to host a flute making class in three days , but it is ideal if the group can take longer. Children (and lots of adults) are not very quick carvers or sanders, and varnish takes time to dry. If you want a longer and more involved project, this might be the perfect choice. It is a wonderful and transformative experience to make an instrument and then learn to play it . It can bond the student with their flute. Tip: one way some groups speed things up is to have a teacher bring the flutes home to varnish.

Finished Flutes:
Buying finished flutes is a wonderful choice for a group where music is the primary focus. Get right to the good part! You can learn to play flutes in just about any classroom, library, community center etc. without having to plan for dust and wood shavings.
The flutes are cleanable so you can use them for multiple classes, though many Tribes, schools, and groups do choose to give each student their flute at the end of the class, it is possible to clean and reuse the flutes. Tip: It’s totally safe to use rubbing alcohol to clean the flutes. Remember to clean the fingering hole area, most germs are passed through hands not mouths!