Anasasi style flute

[mtyler]

I'm looking at an E-Z Anasasi flute by DeRuby. Does anyone have input on the quality of these instuments? Do they come close to the true anasasi sound?

[MTGuru]

I think "Anasazi style" just means that it's end-blown (like a quena or shakuhachi) instead of fipple-blown like a more common "plains" or "woodland" NAF.

Not sure anyone knows what the "true Anasazi sound" is, since they disappeared as a historical entity around 800 years ago.

[mtyler]

The EZ Anasasi by Steven DeRuby is and adaption of the modernrim blown anasasi flutes made by the likes of Coyote Oldman. It incorporates a carved fipple to replace the rim technique which some(many?) find difficult to use. My inguiry was more to the success or none success of using a fipple on this style of instument. I agree that no one knows what the true anasasi sound is. I can clarify my remark by saying 'the modern sound' as heard on recordings by Coyote Oldman or Scott August, to name two.

[MTGuru]

Aha, I see. From the design, I'd guess the EZ Anasazi sounds pretty much like a pennywhistle, which it basically is. But yes, maybe someone here knows for sure. Cheers!

[manu.bande]

From some photos of some historical anasazi flutes found in archeological expeditions I remember the mouthpiece to be very similar to the one used for Kaval flute.

However modern anasazi flutes are made with a more like shakuhachi flute mouthpiece ! Included the only one I own, made by Vance Pennington.

I'm not sure why all the modern makers tend to prefer the shakuhachi's embouchure style, perhaps to give the flute more dynamics ?!

Personally i would prefer to keep the original mouthpiece shape !

Mtyler, anasazi flute for me means a different sound compare to other kind of flutes and perhaps different opportunity for playing techniques and experimentation due the different mouthpiece.
So I would suggest to you to go for a more close to the original flute embouchure... to me the EZ seems to limited because the fipple !
But of course every body see things in a different way !

Cheers

[mtyler]

That's about the conclusion I have come to myself. Thanks for the input.

[Deasan]

I love rim blown flutes.
My favorite maker is Coyote Oldman. I have his inlay Anasazi flute and I have a Mojave style flute. His is a great scholar, artist and a super person to deal with. I would go with him personally. He offers an "Easy anasazi" too.

http://www.shopworks.com/coyote/index.c ... D0A0A8CF2/

[paddler]

I love rim blown flutes.
My favorite maker is Coyote Oldman. I have his inlay Anasazi flute and I have a Mojave style flute. His is a great scholar, artist and a super person to deal with. I would go with him personally. He offers an "Easy anasazi" too.

http://www.shopworks.com/coyote/index.c ... D0A0A8CF2/

I recently bought a Beginner Anasazi flute from Coyote Oldman. Its a genuine rim blown flute (not a whistle) that is supposedly slightly easier to play than his top of the line anasazi flute. It is still challenging, but I did manage to learn how to play a tune on mine the first day. Although I do have quite a lot of experience playing Irish flute so that may have helped me. If you want to hear what this Coyote Oldman Beginner Anasazi flute sounds like there is a good example here (I have found this to be an accurate reproduction of how mine sounds, but unfortunately, this is not me playing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG6fhNZqlHE

Anyway, I found Coyote Oldman to be wonderful to deal with and I have enjoyed playing his beginner anasazi flute so much that I am seriously considering getting a full size one. I would really appreciate hearing comments about the relative merits of flutes from other makers from others here who play Anasazi flute.

-- Jon

[Deasan]

Thanks for sharing that Jon. We both seem to be enjoying our MGA flutes.
Have you checked out this wonderful site yet:
http://forums.fluteportal.com/
Lots of good info. there and a very friendly bunch too.
I understand that he makes fantastic flutes too
http://www.earthtoneflutes.com/
Cheers, Deasan