| Woods & Totems |
Raven Wing Flutes
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While Cedar is the most traditional wood used in flute making, the following species are also available. Please be aware that additional time may be required to
procure the wood.
Raven Wing Flutes is dedicated to helping promote responsible logging practices. Whenever possible, I will purchase lumber coming from windblown trees, so
no trees are actually harvested.
And of course, I like to use reclaimed wood when available. Besides the obvious recycling advantage, reclaimed woods offer certain intangibles: better tonal
qualities (depending on age and species), and a sense of being connected to the past through the flute you now hold.
This list is not exhaustive. Let us know if you need a flute made of a wood not listed.
procure the wood.
Raven Wing Flutes is dedicated to helping promote responsible logging practices. Whenever possible, I will purchase lumber coming from windblown trees, so
no trees are actually harvested.
And of course, I like to use reclaimed wood when available. Besides the obvious recycling advantage, reclaimed woods offer certain intangibles: better tonal
qualities (depending on age and species), and a sense of being connected to the past through the flute you now hold.
This list is not exhaustive. Let us know if you need a flute made of a wood not listed.
- Contrasting
endcaps......$25-$45
($45 for exotic woods) - Fleece Flute Bags.....$15
More coming soon.
Your Native American Style flute
was crafted to give you years of
care. A one-hour bath in a
special hardening oil, organic
and non-toxic, makes it
extremely moisture resistant. In
addition, the slow air chamber
and the nest area are sealed
with several coats of instrument
grade lacquer to reduce the
chance of swelling. The flutes
are then finished with 3 to 5
coats of the same instrument
grade lacquer, sanded to a fine
sheen between each coat.
Unlike polyurethane, lacquer is
elastic and will expand with the
wood. As it ages, lacquer also
tends to improve the
instrument's tonal qualities.
Despite these finishes, you
should be aware of a
phenomenon common to all
wind instruments called "wetting
out". The moisture from your
breath will condense and collect
in the anterior chamber of the
flute and between the totem and
the saddle. This will restrict the
flute's air flow, eventually
causing it to stop playing.
This is easily remedied. When
you finish playing, simply
remove the totem and brass
piece (if so equipped), shake
the moisture from your flute, and
allow it to dry thoroughly before
putting it back together.
Should you want to get rid of the
moisture fast to continue
playing, simply suck in sharply
on the mouthpiece. The
moisture will be pulled back
from the saddle area into the
anterior chamber of the flute,
thus allowing you to continue
playing. Be sure to follow the
steps above when you are
finished playing.
--As with any musical
instrument, avoid
extremes of heat and
cold.
--Do not wrap your flute
in commercially tanned
leather. The residual
chemicals used to tan
the leather may damage
the finish of your flute.
Brain tanned leather is
OK.
was crafted to give you years of
care. A one-hour bath in a
special hardening oil, organic
and non-toxic, makes it
extremely moisture resistant. In
addition, the slow air chamber
and the nest area are sealed
with several coats of instrument
grade lacquer to reduce the
chance of swelling. The flutes
are then finished with 3 to 5
coats of the same instrument
grade lacquer, sanded to a fine
sheen between each coat.
Unlike polyurethane, lacquer is
elastic and will expand with the
wood. As it ages, lacquer also
tends to improve the
instrument's tonal qualities.
Despite these finishes, you
should be aware of a
phenomenon common to all
wind instruments called "wetting
out". The moisture from your
breath will condense and collect
in the anterior chamber of the
flute and between the totem and
the saddle. This will restrict the
flute's air flow, eventually
causing it to stop playing.
This is easily remedied. When
you finish playing, simply
remove the totem and brass
piece (if so equipped), shake
the moisture from your flute, and
allow it to dry thoroughly before
putting it back together.
Should you want to get rid of the
moisture fast to continue
playing, simply suck in sharply
on the mouthpiece. The
moisture will be pulled back
from the saddle area into the
anterior chamber of the flute,
thus allowing you to continue
playing. Be sure to follow the
steps above when you are
finished playing.
--As with any musical
instrument, avoid
extremes of heat and
cold.
--Do not wrap your flute
in commercially tanned
leather. The residual
chemicals used to tan
the leather may damage
the finish of your flute.
Brain tanned leather is
OK.
| Available Totems & Their Meanings |
Bear (Zuni Style)
Strength, courage & wisdom. The Medicine of Introspection, the inner self.
Strength, courage & wisdom. The Medicine of Introspection, the inner self.
Buffalo
Strength, abundance, good fortune. The Medicine of Prayer & Healing.
Strength, abundance, good fortune. The Medicine of Prayer & Healing.
Bird of Prey
The ability to see past, present & future. The Medicine of Perception, Illumination.
Hawk is a messenger & truth seeker.
The ability to see past, present & future. The Medicine of Perception, Illumination.
Hawk is a messenger & truth seeker.
Coyote
Coyote is the trickster. Humor, cleverness. The Medicine of Survival, Adaptability.
Coyote is the trickster. Humor, cleverness. The Medicine of Survival, Adaptability.
Dolphin
The Keeper of the Breath, the gift of communication, innocence, beauty & grace. The
Medicine of Healing.
The Keeper of the Breath, the gift of communication, innocence, beauty & grace. The
Medicine of Healing.
Fox (photo coming soon)
The Keeper of the power of invisibility and camouflage, of knowing how to move
between the light and the dark, from this world to other realms of existence. Cunning,
observation, integration and swiftness of thought and action. Also a harbinger of
change. The Medicine of Adaptability.
The Keeper of the power of invisibility and camouflage, of knowing how to move
between the light and the dark, from this world to other realms of existence. Cunning,
observation, integration and swiftness of thought and action. Also a harbinger of
change. The Medicine of Adaptability.
Horse (photo coming soon)
Courage, speed & safe journey. The Medicine of Perspective & Compassion.
Courage, speed & safe journey. The Medicine of Perspective & Compassion.
Mayan Pyramid (photo coming soon)
These pyramids relied on intricate carved stone in order to create a stair-step design.
Each pyramid was dedicated to a deity whose shrine sat at its peak. Your Mayan
Pyramid totem can be topped by a semi-precious stone cabochon.
These pyramids relied on intricate carved stone in order to create a stair-step design.
Each pyramid was dedicated to a deity whose shrine sat at its peak. Your Mayan
Pyramid totem can be topped by a semi-precious stone cabochon.
Otter
Feminine energy, playfulness.
Feminine energy, playfulness.
Raven (photo coming soon)
The gift of prophecy, clairvoyant vision. Magic, shapeshifting, creation. A teacher and a
trickster. The Medicine of the Void, Healing, and the Gift of seeing in both worlds.
The gift of prophecy, clairvoyant vision. Magic, shapeshifting, creation. A teacher and a
trickster. The Medicine of the Void, Healing, and the Gift of seeing in both worlds.
Turquoise Mesa
Turtle (photo coming soon)
The Earth Mother, the home and the womb. Longevity, peace and healing. In Native
American lore, a giant sea turtle emerged from the depths of the ocean and gave its life
so the first humans would have a place to live (on its back). Hence the native name for
the American continent, Turtle Island.
The Earth Mother, the home and the womb. Longevity, peace and healing. In Native
American lore, a giant sea turtle emerged from the depths of the ocean and gave its life
so the first humans would have a place to live (on its back). Hence the native name for
the American continent, Turtle Island.
Traditional
Old style woodpecker. The rain caller. Growth, fertility & cleansing. Origins of the flute.
Old style woodpecker. The rain caller. Growth, fertility & cleansing. Origins of the flute.
Whale (photo coming soon)
Intelligence and self-expression. The Medicine of Intuition & Creativity.
Intelligence and self-expression. The Medicine of Intuition & Creativity.
Wolf (photo coming soon)
A teacher and pathfinder. Commitment, sociability, strength & confidence. The
Medicine of Guardianship.
A teacher and pathfinder. Commitment, sociability, strength & confidence. The
Medicine of Guardianship.
| Accessories & Upgrades |
| Flute Care |
DOMESTIC WOODS, ADD $45-65
|
DOMESTIC WOODS
|
EXOTIC WOODS, ADD $45
|
Loon (photo coming soon)
In honor of my friend and teacher Raymond Redfeather, for whom this is an
important totem, I have decided to offer the loon totem.
Serenity, awakening of mind and spirit. Solidifying the imagination, making one aware
of the power of dreams. Awareness of the unconscious process of creation &
imagination
In honor of my friend and teacher Raymond Redfeather, for whom this is an
important totem, I have decided to offer the loon totem.
Serenity, awakening of mind and spirit. Solidifying the imagination, making one aware
of the power of dreams. Awareness of the unconscious process of creation &
imagination
