About Native Flute

"My first exposure to the Native Flute took place about six years ago. I was a Painting Contractor at the time and had received a work order to repair some drywall in a house that happened to have a Native Flute sitting on a coffee table along with other pieces of American Indian art. I was so bold to ask if I could play the Native Flute and from that very moment began a new chapter in my life." Having been a serious woodwind player from a very early age Vince first thought about the obvious limitations of the Native Flute but fell in love with its sound and the connection it had to his Native culture. There came "dark nights of the soul", times when it felt like the world was crashing about his life and Vince late at night would play just one note on the Native Flute and hold it.”I felt the sound that others have been moved by and I began to play myself to sleep. It brought something to me that no other instrument ever did. I chose the Native Flute as my instrument or should I say it chose me?" Being classically trained taught him the discipline of study, which he would need in order to create a chromatic fingering system. "I've incorporated all the fingering systems I've known from the open hole silver flute, clarinet and the tenor sax on which I had to create and instantly memorize fingerings for the altissimo register (which enables me to play four and a half octaves in every key on the tenor sax). Some day I'll write a book on this system which allows me to play in every key on one Native Flute and makes it possible for me to sight read any written piece of music. Also my extensive jazz background helps me improvise and play off the page and in the moment just as I would on any other woodwind instrument that I play."
Bio "I've been asked why I play music like "Claire de Lune" by Debussy or Pat Methany's "The Road To You" on the Native Flute? To me it's fairly simple. I want to play the most beautiful music ever written or played on what I consider the most beautiful sounding instrument. Also my unique upbringing as an Urban Indian that was exposed to great music and training all through my life makes this my gift to others." Vince also hopes that because of the significance of the Native Flute to its people that his playing of this instrument as he does will make American Indians more visible in this 21st century."We have a spiritual connection to this land that is very unique and a spirituality that was vital to those who lived on this land then and now." Look for Vince's lastest music called "A Long Way Home". This music of the Southwest is sure to be on everyone's "must have list".	Photo by John Ritter


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