Category Archives: Music

A year ago my parents gave me a special present for my birthday: a six-hole Native American flute made of redwood, handcrafted by a very nice man from the Navajo reserve.

I was so happy and excited to finally possess an authentic wind instrument, aside from my STL ocarina. But sadly as senior year in high school progressed I never took enough time to play or practice any songs. One day I simply wrapped it up and put it away. I really missed out on an adventure that year and truly such a travesty deserves punishment by deafening screams. Or no chocolate, haha!

Earlier this afternoon a bit of boredom on my part preceded exploring all the hidden contents and valuables inside my massive closet. And right there on the very top shelf I found my flute safely tucked in the back!

I nearly died smiling so much, seeing how it was still in beautiful condition. I took it down from that dusty void, wiped it clean and played a series of hallow notes for a few hours until the ball points of my fingers swelled tiny white circles. I can’t tell you how mesmerizing it is to create such haunting melodies with your own hands.

Tonight I learned Amazing Grace all by ear and managed to improvise on the pitches. In my happiness I spawned yet another crazy idea. I have decided to start uploading videos of music on YouTube in July, featuring my tiny musical family: piano, flute and ocarina. Should be fun!

- J.

PS: Like every item I cherish, I bestowed on my flute a name. I call him “Mahkwa”. In Ojibwe it means bear. See the fetish/block near the mouthpiece? =)