Instruments used by First Nations People
According to the first nations people, sound moves differently through the air, depending on the landscape. Proximity to bodies of water, whether small or large, affects the quality of sound; all of the elements present in a landscape, along with the resources available, influence the structure and sound of the musical instruments(Native Drums, n.d.). Instruments are considered animate objects and are therefore treated respectfully and given gifts of medicinal plants (The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada, 2012).The most common instruments in the first nation's culture are the drum, rattle, and flute .
The drum
In the first nations culture, no two drums are the same. Each drum has its own unique voice and vibrations based on the culture in which it was created and the hands of the one who constructed it. Originally, Plains people hollowed out large logs to make their drums and then stretched a deer hide over it. Ultimately, the drum represents the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth, the universal mother to us all (Native Drums, n.d.).
The drum
In the first nations culture, no two drums are the same. Each drum has its own unique voice and vibrations based on the culture in which it was created and the hands of the one who constructed it. Originally, Plains people hollowed out large logs to make their drums and then stretched a deer hide over it. Ultimately, the drum represents the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth, the universal mother to us all (Native Drums, n.d.).
Hand-held drum
Powwow Drum
The wooden Flute
The traditional wooden flute was primarily used as a courting instrument. A young man would build a flute and play a song that he knew to his beloved. Once the couple was joined together, he would throw the flute away and never play one again (Native Drum, n.d.).
The traditional wooden flute was primarily used as a courting instrument. A young man would build a flute and play a song that he knew to his beloved. Once the couple was joined together, he would throw the flute away and never play one again (Native Drum, n.d.).
The rattle
A variety of materials were used to create the traditional first nation's rattle. Depending on their environment, they used animal branches, hide, bark, seeds and pebbles (Native Drum, n.d.).
A variety of materials were used to create the traditional first nation's rattle. Depending on their environment, they used animal branches, hide, bark, seeds and pebbles (Native Drum, n.d.).