Teachers Convention

Sorry for the major delays in blogging. Not too good at this. Anyhow, fellow Nose-Flautist Natanielle Felicitas did our first teachings of the Nose-Flute for the Christian Schools Teaching Convention.

Here is her report:

" On Oct 24th, 2008 I had the pleasure of hosting a nose-flute workshop for the Edmonton Christian School Teachers Convention. It was held at a beautiful, new structure on the north side of the city.

The challenge of the day was competing with 12 other workshops that ran at the same time.

I had six people in attendance, not the 50 I had hoped for, but they were all music teachers who had a keen interest in learning about the nose-flute. The participants were from all over Alberta; Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge.

The organizers granted me use of a great music room, where I hosted the workshop.

I started off the session with a viewing of our segment on Careers Television. I gave a brief history of the flute and its origins. Many skeptical giggles were maded at the head-hunting story and some shock that the Missionaries had banned the flute in some corners of the globe.

The fun began when they had their first attempt at playing the nose-flute! It was a challenge and only a few whole notes were produced-but they were a determined bunch. I had to remind them to take breaks because I didn't want anyone to faint.

A few of them took some flutes home to share with their students and communities.

It was a fun morning with lots of laughter. Just goes to prove the power of the nose flute to break boundaries and barriers, open communication, and have a fun time learning something new."

.....Great job Natanielle. I'm sure the teachers loved it and will continue to pass on the Nose-Flute traditions.

Nose-Flute Encounter

This past March I had an interesting Nose-Flute encounter. I was stuck in Toronto for about a month. The only job I could muster up in the middle of winter was a babysitting job. In fact SFW alumni Kristen Mcgregor gave me the contact of Cathy Nosaty and Mark Korven. They are the parents of two great and talented kids. The whole family is very musical and Cathy and Mark are actually musicians/composers for theatre, film and television in Canada. Upon my arrival they took me into their basement (music studio), and pulled down an instrument which I recognized immediately.....The Hawaiian Nose-Flute.

They were on vacation in Hawaii and noticed a local playing the instrument. Mark went up to him and asked where he might buy one. For some strange reason the musician just gave the instrument to Mark as a gift. And what a very special gift it was. It makes a beautiful sound. I wish you all could have heard it.

I have to say it was a very strange coincidence.

I will eventually put up a video of Mark playing the nose-flute.

And here is a link to Marks website www.markkorven.com

Enjoy!

Nose-Flute Blog #1

Hello Nose-Flute Fans!!!

Hard to believe that for the past 7 years the Slappyfeatherwhistle Nose-Flute Ensemble has been enriching the lives of people through , well the Nose-Flute. In the past year I have been travelling the world meeting with other Nose-Flute Enthusiasts. In Miami Florida I came across a musician by the name of Tom Proctor. He has been playing the Nose-Flute since 1975. He conducts choirs and ensembles and edits music. Great guy. He mentioned to me that the small mysterious hole in the Humanatone instrument was to do vibrato with your free hand. I have heard this method before although SFW members have been able to produce vibrato without useing their free hand. I still call it the mysterious hole.

Tom also sent me a link to www.noseflute.de for those of you interested in purchasing a flute from Germany in wood.

Anyhow, at the moment I'm in Bath, UK. Great music scene in this town. I already know of some musicians here who incorporate the Nose-Flute and the Ukulele together. Until further posts....keep your noses dry and let the music fly!