Play the Trees! Video
Learn to Play the Native American Style
flute with your heart and soul...
An Introduction to the Native American Style Flute, by Ward Stroud
Shot on Location on the "High Desert" in Central Oregon
Step by Step instruction by Master Flute Player/Maker Ward Stroud
Running time is approx 18mins. Experience the magic
of the Native American Style Flute in full
color and sound! Every thing you will ever
need to know to play the flute beautifully...
Would you like to order Play the Trees! Video? $19.95 plus $4.50 shipping. $1.00 each additional item. (outside US extra shipping charges apply)
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The Story of "Playing the Trees"
by Ward Stroud
At a Sundance ceremony years ago an very interesting looking man wandered up to where i sat on the side of a mountain playing my flute and after listening to me for a while he got up to leave. I stoped playing my flute and asked him who he was and where did he come from. He told me he was a tibeten monk and had been wondering from country to country and had spent most of his life learning of the spiritual ceremonies of different peoples. We had a good talk about our different experiences and after saying our goodbyes parted company. As he was walking away he stoped and turned to me and gave me one of the most significant gifts i have ever been given... this is what he said... "Son... If you ever need inspiration for a song just look around you, our Earth Mother will supply you with all the music you need... Do you see the trees in the distance? notice the tree line aganst the horizon? Play the tree tops like a musical score, the taller the trees the higher your notes.. The lower the tree the lower the note. start here ( he motions to the far left) and play the tree line as if it were "sheet music" (sweeping his arm to across the horizon). There are songs everywhere you look, the clouds, a flock of birds, or the shoreline in the bend of a creek. For this gift i am forever grateful.
COMMENTS
Dear Ward,
Your new video, "An Introduction to the Native American Flute with Ward J. Stroud," is really excellent. Everything about the video, from the beginning to the end, is consistent and centered. The setting, with the mountains in the background, is perfect on several levels. At first the viewer notices how beautiful the mountains are, but then the scenery "fades into the background"-- just as it should. The setting isn't distracting from what you have to say but rather supports what you are telling your audience. It's easy to pay attention.
The opening view of the flowing water sets the tone, just as I'm sure wanted it to do. Your presentation is clear and direct. One has the sense that you are speaking with a friend as you teach just the right amount of information. No one could come away from watching your video feeling overwhelmed or unable to tackle the process of playing the flute. In fact, it's just the opposite; a new flute owner comes away encouraged.
Your manner is that of a teacher who loves his instrument and makes it look not difficult to play. (I hesitate to say "easy to play." That seems disrespectful of the music you make with this instrument.) The viewer also gets a sense of the relationship of the flutist to the flute, and teaches the viewer something about how to approach the flute spiritually... but not in some weird, stereotypical New Age way, if you know what I mean... but rather, "This is a simple process...here's how it works.....now go enjoy learning your instrument and grow with your music."
Playing the flute the way you do in the video, the student can easily focus in on the practical technique--how their fingers should move, how to breathe, etc. That's important information that is just there for the observing, aside from the specific instruction you give.
You've done a great job putting it all together!
Best Regards, Karen C
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