Giveaway Freebies | Featured Artists | Lifegivers
I have reserved this section of my web page as a place to give back to the 'family'. There are three sections here on the Giveaway page: "Freebies" - this is where I post some of my projects as gifts to you. These might be sound or video recordings I have made or instructional materials that I have written. Feel free to download these, enjoy them and share them with friends. "Featured Artists" - I will be giving space to advertise amazing and talented Native American people who are in need of help in their efforts to establish their businesses. Although I work primarily in the area of the arts, the people featured in this area will have a wide variety of offerings beyond the arts. If you are a NA brother or sister and would like to appear on this space, drop me a line here. "Lifegivers" - this is an area where I post biographical articles in recognition of people who have given to our community. Some are living, some have walked on, and all deserve a few moments of our time to pay respect. The Giveaway section, like my overall web page, is dynamic and will change frequently. Please check back often.
Songs for Solo Native American Flute A song that I have heard hundreds of times. When I asked an elder the meaning of the song, he said, "It is a song of gratitude, my opportunity to begin the day by saying 'Thank you for giving me another day when I can be a creator'". This is recorded on a very old Creek (Muscogee) flute. I was taught that, among many things, the Eagle represents Strength, Courage and Integrity. As you listen to this song, remember a time in your life when you showed these qualities. I recorded this on a traditional Cherokee rivercane flute. This is an old wedding song performed with a 'choir' of ladies shaking turtle shell rattles. These three sound files are short sections of pieces from my CD "The Gift". The title of the CD takes its name from the artwork given to me by the incredible Cherokee artist Toby Hughes for the cover of the CD. This recording was done a long distance underground in the Hall of the Representatives, a cavern in Wyandotte Caves, Indiana. The cavern was home to hundreds of generations of Native American people who mined chert and flint. I then took the recorded flute tracks into the studio and added a recording of bird and water sounds that I had made near a waterfall in North Carolina. The turtle rattles were also added in the studio. The final recording was mastered by Kirk Butler and Grey Larsen at Echo Park in Bloomington, Indiana, where John Mellancamp and Robert Mirabal frequently record. Many thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission for funding this recording, to Roger Gleitz and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for guidance and permission to use the caves for recording, to Kirk Butler for excellent recording skills in a challenging environment, to Kirk Butler and Alecia Sizemore for sherpa-ing loads of recording equipment in and out of the caves, to the cave for supplying dripping water sounds, and to 30,000 bats for letting me use their home.
Native American Flute with Orchestral Instruments A duet for Native American Flute and transverse (orchestral) flute by James DeMars, inspired by The Hopi Harvest Dance Song from the 1951 Canyon recording by Ed Lee Natay. I did this recording with the amazing flautist Suzanne Farley. After having performed this piece many times, I never tire of playing it, particularly with Suzanne. There is tremendous space in the piece and massive room for interpretation. Every time Suzanne and I play it, we find entirely new and unexpected moods. Composed by Marilyn Bliss, this is a wonderful piece for one of my favorite musical pairs - the Native American Flute and cello. I love the deep and resonant sound of gifted cellist Vladimir Tsukerman on this recording. Vlad is a blast to play with and a great guy! Another imaginative and challenging duet by James DeMars, Crow Wing was originally composed for Native American Flute and alto saxophone. With Dr. DeMars' permission, I re-arranged the piece and replaced the sax with viola. On this recording you hear my favorite violist, Byron Plexico, and I play that new version. There are so many places in this piece where I can literally see pairs of our winged brothers circling overhead in the thermals. The three duets above are excerpts from two CDs I have in progress right now. Both CDs are collections of chamber music featuring Native American Flute with various combinations of orchestral and ethnic instruments in the environment of classical compositions.
Written Materials Regarding the Native American Flute I wrote the following three articles as the beginning of "The Flute Forum", a collaborative work with Scott Loomis. I wrote the articles and Scott posted them to his website. These articles, posted in 1988, began the first ever Native American Flute informational resource that was based on the Internet. Since that time, many other internet resources have become great contributors to our base of knowledge on the Native American Flute, but this was the first!!!! (The following files are presented to you as they were initially posted in 1988.) How to Select the Best Flute For You! Volume 1 How to Select the Best Flute For You! Volume 2 How to Select the Best Flute For You! Volume 3
Mike Reinhold, Native American Flute Maker I was looking through ads for Native American Flutes on ebay one day and came across a flute made by Michael Reinhold. I was seeing art approached from a totally different perspective than I had ever seen. I knew that I had to meet this man. It was difficult to contact him, and harder to find his home, but our meeting on a late summer day opened many doors for both of us. I discovered a great friend whose Lakota ancestors met my ancestors on the prairies of Montana. I met a humble and gentle man that I deeply respect. I also met an ingenious artist who builds flutes with a truly singular vision and fearless humor. I am proud to have his artwork in my home and to play on stage. Please take time to get to know him. - Dennis
"The night bear touches the moon" December 5, 2007 A short drive up Highway 61, artist and musician Michael Reinhold creates musical art. Or is it artistic music? However described, his hand-made Native American flutes combine art forms like nothing else.
It all started at a pow-wow when his brother handed him a flute kit. Reinhold enjoyed assembling it and taught himself how to play the flute. But, he said that making those “normal” instruments was boring. About eight years and a thousand or so flutes later, Michael Reinhold expresses himself through one-of-a-kind woodcarvings which also happen to be playable flutes. Some of the instruments take the shapes of animals, such as lizards, snakes and turtles. He has also made non-animal formed ones such as a shot gun and a bi-plane. His flute staffs are almost as tall as an adult and are intended to be played while standing.
Michael Reinhold with two of his staff flutes
“Each flute has its own voice,” Reinhold said. No two will sound the same. Displaying the flutes is an auditory experience. Upon showing each one, he often demonstrates its sound indicating the importance of function as well as aesthetic appeal. Reinhold demonstrated that when played to the valley behind his home, the music initiates a comforting echo. The process: An image is first drawn on paper. “If I can draw it, I can make it,” he said. Reinhold uses wooden fence building remnants and parts of old fences which have been discarded. In a workshop near his home, these mostly cedar pieces are recycled into beautiful art. The grain of wood is often incorporated into certain features. For example, the knot in a wood pattern may strategically be placed as an eye. Though he’s been carving since he was 15, Reinhold enlists the help of tools such as a band saw and wood burner. He said that even with the application of the tools, the pieces are 90 percent hand made. The wood always retains its natural color and a clear gloss covering is applied. He “signs” the bottom of each creation with a moon and paw print symbol he calls “Night Bear Touches the Moon.” Some of his creations boast movable parts (like tongues) and some have rattles inside, offering other dimensions to the music. He also makes drones, two harmonizing flutes in one. Reinhold would like to make a CD of his music. When the time is right, he said, he will enjoy tackling this new endeavor.
A unique gift idea
Reinhold has given away hundreds of flutes. Some have been given to children he’s inspired who’ve promised they will “keep playing.” Popular Native American flautist, Dennis Sizemore has purchased about six flutes from him. Some of Michael Reinhold’s hand-made flutes are displayed and sold at: Mid Rivers Music Lewis and Clark Jewelers and Silver City Trading Post Interested parties may also call him at 636-665-9133. The flutes are sold within most price ranges and make a truly special gift."
The above article was the product of an interview with Mike Reinhold by Kris Kolk. Article and photos are used with kind permission. For information about the St. Charles County, Missouri, area including artists and events please go to their web site at sccworlds.com Check out these other creations by Mike:
And Mike hard at work in his woodshop:
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Greet the Morning 
