Byron Ellis
Music has been an important part of my life since I started band in 5th grade (a looong time ago). I played trumpet and French horn through high school and college. My musical listening tastes are quite diverse and can only be categorized as eclectic. When Paula started listening to Native American Flute music, I listened with her and began enjoying it. It was different, but the titles she chose fit well with New Age and Jazz which are among my favorites. The more I listened, the more I liked it. Soon, I was hooked. I was happy enough listening to good performers, I did not feel the need to play it for myself.
Paula decided she wanted a flute, so I bought her one for Christmas. I tried blowing on it a few times and could get a sound, but still did not feel the urge to have my own. Paula's interest continued growing and I began to see that flutes are like potato chips, you can't have just one. When Paula started to mention flutes in different keys, the dollar signs kept flashing before my eyes. Since I am somewhat of a woodworker also, I started to research making our own flutes. I figured this would allow Paula to have more flutes, I could get back to creating more with wood, and maybe even save some money. I found so many different flutemaking techniques and not being a flute player, I did not know where to start. This was about the time Paula found the Zion Flute Festival. Raymond Redfeather was teaching a flutemaking workshop. This was ideal, I learned how to make a flute by making one under close supervision by an expert and when I was done had my own flute (all for less than the price of a completed new flute for me). So now I have the bug, want more flutes for our collection, AND want the special tools and fixtures that it takes to build them. This is saving money how? Oh well, my biggest problem is deciding whether I want to make flutes or spend my time learning to play the flute so I can enjoy creating them even more.
Then, at the last Flute Circle meeting when we were jamming, I picked up Charlie's Djembe. Now I think it might be fun to learn the Djembe too, so that I can accompany Paula on the flute, but that story is just beginning ... (to be continued)
