NEW LESSONS COMING THROUGH 2010-2011
Lesson #1
The first playing lesson in this series is to find your inner self and your inner song. To do this it could be best to start just with you learning from the instrument and yourself. This should be the base for anyone’s playing.
The Native American flute is not a European instrument!!! At some point it was influenced by Europeans and today it is very much the case. Today’s flute music reflects that influence so; remember that 500-900yrs ago there was no European base music here in North America. There was though plenty of flute music throughout North America and is was done by Native People of North America.
Lesson #2
Each time you are picking up your flute to play you are learning something new about yourself and your flute. This is a big plus if you ever start to get frustrated about progressing. The fact that just holding the flute could help you play is hard for some to realize but it can do that.
Lesson #3
Try playing at different times of the day and/or conditions. This can give you a better understanding of such things as your feelings, breathing, or finger placement.
Lesson #4
Trying different fingering scales can help improve your finger placement. This is something that I do to this day. You should not worry about mistakes in the scales or even if is a real scale. You are just trying to get to the subconscious of your brain. It’s the repeating the scale that is the key!!!!
Lesson #5
Breathing the notes of the flute loud, soft, fast or slow could give you away to bring life into you songs.
Lesson #6
Try not to pay for lessons or workshops that help you play from the heart, play out of the box or teach you how to heal through the Native American Flute. These types of workshops and lessons are very popular with Non-Native Americans and even more popular in being taught by Non-Native Americans.
The reality is these flutes have no healing powers they are just wood.
Lesson #7
When you play the flute as a sole instrument you should be free to arrange notes and techniques anyway you choose. You will find in time the right combinations! So, remember the Native American Flute of today has been very influenced by the European music system and thinking.
Lesson #8
When I first started I listened to many different players but did not try to sound like them. They had their way of playing and I needed mine. This is what you may find is the most fun about playing Native Flutes. You should not expect to do it over night but as you play and learn your style will start to emerge. You can get aids like song books; play along CDs, and CDs with Lessons to name a few. These can be helpful to some in the learning process. I found few of these types of teaching aids worth it but the best kinds are the ones were techniques are explained. The best song books are from John Sarantos he is one of the first to do this.
Redbelly Lives
David Martinka
Redbelly Music: LESSONS/CREDITS/MORE
NATIVE SLOVAK CD CREDITS:
Native Slovak is a collection of solo flute songs that captures the purity of both Slovakian and Native American Style Courting Flutes. As a self taught musician David Martinka draws on nature, life and his inner self to create his songs. David Martinka’s Slovakian Courting Flutes are hand crafted especially for him with the help of Tomas Kovac who is in contact with the best flute makers in Slovakia. David also crafts a version of the Native American Style Courting Flute which are used on this recording. With a long family history of music and love for the Native American Flute, David Martinka is the first bridge to the courting, healing, and peaceful side of both the Native American Style Courting Flutes and the Native Slovakian Courting Flutes in this landmark recording Native Slovak!
1. Rodný Slovák (Native Slovak)
2. M.J.Martinka (Matus of Maple River)
3. Do očí dievčiny (In Her Eyes) 4. Motýľ (Butterfly)
5. Legendy času II /dva/ (Legends of Time II)
6. Dvojica Vilo a Michal (Two Bucks, Billy & Mike)
7. Zvolať pomocníkov (Call to the Helpers)
8. Strieľajúca hviezda (Shooting Star)
9. Do videnia dievča (I will See Her Soon)
10. Dotknúť neba (Touching the Sky)
11. Maškrtná malá ovečka (Nibble Little Sheep)
12. Valčík zo stromom (Waltzing With the Trees)
Produced by David Martinka Co-Producer: Mike Lavioette of Media Music, Coleman, MI. Recorded and engineered by Mike Lavioette at Media Music, Coleman, MI. Mixed and Mastered by David Martinka at Redbelly Studio Chesaning MI. Slovak Text: Josie Chapin, Melvin and Dorothy Martinka, Arleen Zvonek, Elaine Zajdlik, Magda Bielikova and daughters.
Thanks To: Tomas Kovac for your help and love for these great flutes. Without you and the Slovak Crafters it could not have been done. Mike Laviotte and Chris Roach, for being part of this project it is a great honor and for helping take Native Slovak a great direction. Thank you, Dan Haviland for you kind help and knowledge of crafting Native American Flutes. My flutes are better because of you. Thanks to the Martinka family, for keeping the music alive over all these years. Native Slovak is: David Martinka, Eileen Whitacre, Ed and Elaine Zajdlik, Mike Zajdlik, and the Martinka Family.
DOWNLOAD CD LEGENDS OF TIME REMIX CREDITS:
Redbelly Music is proud to announce David Martinka’s first download CD release Legends of Time Remix. Legends of Time Remix is a collection of songs remixed from the 2006 Indian Summer Music Awards nomination Legends of Time for Native Heart. You can enjoy 12 songs from Legends of Time and two never before released songs “Return to Turtle Island” and “Standing in the Future”. David Martinka’s courting; healing and meditative approach to the American Wood Flute* has created these timeless songs. Legends of Time Remix is sure to relax your Mind, Body and Spirit.
1. Legends of Time-2:28
2. Return to Turtle Island-3:29
3. Air, Fire and Water-3:06
4. Hollow Bones-2:35
5. Land That Time Forgot-4:29
6. Living a Dream-3:29
7. Moonlight in Her Eyes-2:17
8. She is The Rainbow-3:48
9. Standing in the Future-3:50
10. Sweet Grass-4:06
11. Legends Return-2:20
12. Morning of the Bluebird-3:32
13. DM Flute-1:49
14. Stands Alone-2:54
All songs written and performed by: David Martinka
Produced, Engineered, and Mastered at: Redbelly Studio
David Martinka thanks: Eileen Whitacre, Ed and Elaine Zajdlik, The Martinka Family, Robert Wianio, Dan DeClark, John Sarantos, Steve Wyse, David Cree Tregenza, Dan Haviland, Paul Schmidt, Ross Olson, Kawennano:ron’(Karen Burr), Super Fans: Terry, Gloria, Melanie, Two Bucks and All members of the Elk Dreamer Gatherings.
Redbelly Music is committed to a low carbon imprint please recycle when and where you can.
* In honor and respect to the Native American Crafters and Players, as well as the Non-Native American Crafters and Players. The term American Wood Flute will be used to best describe one type of instrument that David Martinka plays.
Thank You,
Redbelly Music
