Arroyo Willow Branch Flute in F
sound sample of this flute
  
Bark is an essential aspect of any tree, protecting
the delicate flow
of life up and down the thin cambium layer that lies
just under it,
between the bark and the wood. A branch flute
aught to honor and
include that important aspect of the tree, if it
can. In this Arroyo
Willow
(Salix
lasiolepis) branch flute, measuring
24 3/8" in length, most
of
the bark has been left on, though well sealed to
prevent detachment
from the wood. Tuned to a sweet,
mid-range F minor
pentatonic scale, modes 1 & 4, it plays two upper
octave notes and
has 4 tuning holes that allow the
branch to extend an additional 4 1/4" beyond the
fundamental. A
few bark fissures and
any knot holes have been
inlaid with turquoise. Elk lacing
with turquoise and horn bone
beads
holds
the
bird to the nest, the bird fitted with a redwood shoe
to aid against
wetout. The
branch for this flute was gathered sustainably, with
love, respect and
gratitude, along San Marcos
Creek, in San Diego County, CA amongst a wild grove of
native Arroyo
Willow trees. California
Indians
found many uses for the wonderful willow tree,
including bows, baskets,
shelters, clothing, fish traps and medicines derived
from salicin
in the willow's bark, the original aspirin.
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