Tuning the Native American Style Flute
The Simplicity and Limits of the Instrument
The Native American style flute is a musical instrument of elegant simplicity. Because of this simplicity the flute is easy to play. This makes it an ideal instrument for the casual player. But with simplicity come certain limitations.
When I refer to the tuning of a flute I am referring to bringing the various notes of a Love flute into a standardized relationship with each other. Historically tuning as we now understand it was not an issue for the Native American maker and player. He was interested in producing sounds that felt right to him. He did not measure tonality by any external standard such as an electronic tuner. He was satisfied with what pleased his own ear. It was a matter of anything goes as long as the sound felt right.
In the late twentieth century the Native American style flute began to gain acceptance beyond the Native community. In the hands of Native and non Native makers and players the Indian Love flute entered a period of rapid development.
Adoption of the Pentatonic Scale and 440Hz Concert Tuning
The most fundamental change was bringing the Love flute into conformity with Western standards of tuning. Various makers adopted the Mode One minor pentatonic scale. They felt that this scale was appropriate for what was being expressed through the Indian Love flute.
The resulting instrument had five tone holes and could play a five note pentatonic scale plus the first note of the second octave. When a sixth hole was introduced it became possible to produce two different pentatonic scales on the same flute, Mode One and Mode Four.
Native American style flute makers also began tuning their flutes using the modern concert standard of 440Hz for the note A above middle C on the piano.
To explore the difference between 440Hz and 432Hz tuning, visit our 440Hz vs 432Hz guide.
Chromatic Possibilities on the Native American Style Flute
Contemporary flute makers next sought to craft a Native American style flute capable of playing a full chromatic scale.
A chromatic scale divides the octave into twelve semitones of equal interval. A pentatonic scale uses only five of these twelve notes. The remaining seven notes lie between the pentatonic tones and may be thought of as hidden notes.
On a piano keyboard you can see twelve notes repeating in sequence. Five of these are the black keys. These five black keys form a pentatonic scale. The white keys between them may be thought of as the hidden notes.
On some Native American style flutes these hidden notes can be produced using cross fingering and half holing techniques.
With a full chromatic range it becomes possible to play music in both diatonic seven note scales and pentatonic five note scales. Music in major and minor keys becomes available.
To achieve this, the flute maker must tune the hidden notes so they are playable and in tune. In equal temperament there are one hundred cents between each adjacent note. This challenge has largely been met, with the exception of the two notes between the fundamental and the first open hole note. These two notes require half holing and can be difficult to produce distinctly. In practice, a modern well tuned Native American style flute offers an almost complete chromatic scale.
Temperature and Tuning Stability
The Native American style flute has certain physical limitations. It is standard practice for makers to tune flutes at an ambient temperature of seventy two degrees Fahrenheit. Once the flute is completed its tuning cannot be adjusted.
If a flute is perfectly in tune at seventy two degrees, it will shift if the temperature rises or falls. Warmer temperatures cause the flute to play sharp. Cooler temperatures cause it to play flat. A temperature change of ten degrees can shift the pitch by approximately fifteen cents.
The barrel length determines the fundamental note. A longer barrel lowers the tone. A shorter barrel raises the tone. For reference, barrel length is measured from the splitting edge at the true sound hole to the foot end of the flute.
Unlike the standard metal concert flute, which has a telescoping joint that allows adjustment of barrel length, the Native American style flute is solid wood from one end to the other and does not allow this kind of adjustment.
Breath Pressure and Its Effect on Pitch
Another factor affecting tuning is breath pressure. When a flute maker tunes a flute at a specific breath pressure, the flute will be in tune only when played at that pressure.
If the player blows harder, the flute will play sharp and louder. If the player blows more softly, the flute will play flat and quieter. The degree of sharpness or flatness depends on how much the breath pressure differs from that used during tuning.
Solo Versus Ensemble Playing
Does it matter if the flute is slightly sharp or flat? When playing solo it does not matter greatly. The flute remains in tune with itself. All notes rise or fall together. There is no dissonance between the notes.
Few amateur musicians can detect small deviations from 440Hz when playing alone.
Tuning becomes important when playing in ensemble with other instruments. If you are fifteen cents out of tune with a guitarist there will be noticeable dissonance. A guitar can be retuned, so the guitarist can adjust to match your Love flute. When both instruments share the same pitch relationship they are in harmony with each other, even if both are slightly sharp or flat relative to concert pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flute Tuning
Why does my Native American style flute sound out of tune?
Tuning can shift due to breath pressure, air temperature, or playing alongside other instruments.
Does temperature affect flute tuning?
Yes. Warmer air makes the flute play sharp and cooler air makes it play flat.
Can a Native American style flute play chromatic notes?
Many modern flutes can produce hidden chromatic notes using cross fingering and half holing techniques.
Is 440Hz standard for Native American style flutes?
Most modern makers tune to the 440Hz concert standard, though some also offer 432Hz tuning.