This music is built on the pentatonic scale which Native Americans used to produce music for many purposes including ceremonial chants and celebrations.
*A very long time ago there was a young man who was very interested in a beautiful young girl. He was always trying to get her attention, but she never seemed to notice him. Nothing he did seemed to attract her. Dejected, the young man walked into the nearby old growth forest and sat down at the base of a long dead cedar tree. As he sat there thinking about the girl, a woodpecker landed on a hollowed limb that was over his head. The limb had been hollowed over time from the wind and weather. The woodpecker pecked holes along the length of this hollowed limb. The limb broke off and fell next to the young man. As the wind blew over this hollow limb with the holes in it, the man heard musical voices coming from it. He picked it up and found that when he blew into this limb and covered the holes, he could make beautiful, mournful music to match the feelings in his heart. The young girl heard this music coming from the old growth forest. When she came upon the young man, and as she listened, she fell in love with him.
*Excerpted from story by Phillip Brown Bear (Phil Lane), Lakota Indian
The music for Love Flute is written in ¾ time as an opportunity for young musicians to become familiar with counting and playing rhythms in triple meter. The main theme, played by the flutes, uses the universal calling tones: “yoo hoo?” The ensuing melodies represent the mournful longing of a young man courting a potential love interest, per the story of the Native American flute above. The range for all instruments is limited, allowing young players to develop tone with expressive, legato playing. The clarinet part provides options for players to develop right hand skill and move into the upper register. The double notes are not necessarily to be played simultaneously but should be chosen to meet the skill level of the players. Love Flute is Part 3 of a Native American Suite for Beginning Band.
Early Native Americans recognized the cyclical contributions of nature and regarded the sun as an entity of the Great Spirit which guided them. These people worshipped the sun, relying on its energy for life and sustenance. It is no surprise many rituals revolved around that giant, orange ball in the sky. Recently, I had the opportunity to witness a beautiful sunrise atop a vortex bluff in Sedona, Arizona. It is impossible to describe the reverence and solitude felt as the light and color slowly met darkness, unveiling the beginning of a new day. The few participants who were present expanded the magnitude of the event as all sat in silence and meditation. Slowly the rays and warmth of the sun began to envelop the onlookers until the sun was fully present and a new day had begun. Young students learning to play an instrument will enjoy creating this moment with their friends in the band. An ascending theme followed by a climactic modulation represents the sun at its apex. The successive themes represent the rays of sun warming and nurturing the Earth. A few accidentals for some instruments will motivate students to learn more notes! Particularly exciting is the kaleidoscope effect of instruments entering and sustaining toward the end of the piece, representing the flood of light created by the sun. Careful consideration of limited instrumentation and teaching time for young bands will permit success of a final, inspired performance. Sunrise is Part 2 of a Native American Suite for Beginning Band.
The Native American dreamcatcher is rich in symbolism, with almost every part having spiritual connotations. The circular shape of the dreamcatcher represents the circle of life, with no beginning and no end. This is significant to many Native Americans because they believe that death is a part of life and that the spirit lives on. The dreamcatcher is woven to resemble a spider's web, and a single bead represents the spider. Multiple beads represent trapped dreams. Dreamcatchers often have different types of feathers. Birds such as eagles are important spiritual signs and symbols in the Native American culture. The purpose and spiritual meaning of dreamcatchers varies by tribe. For instance, some tribes believe that spiritual messages in dreams come through the dreamcatcher and slide down the feathers to the dreamer.*
The ascending theme with lilting rhythms represents the folly and frolic that we can experience in our dreams. A quick mention of the minor key reminds us dreams can also be dark or fraught with fear. In addition to learning and practicing rhythms in 6/8 time, young musicians will get the opportunity to practice the Bb concert scale. Clarinetists will strengthen right hand notes, preparing them for the jump to the upper register. A few accidentals scattered throughout will broaden the repertoire of notes learned by young band students. Trombone players will be expected to find a solid A natural! Dreamcatchers is Part 4 of a Native American Suite for Beginning Band.
*excerpts from www.classroom.com Darlene Zagata
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