[pct-l] Musical instruments on the trail

[blisterfree at isp01.net (Brett)]

Anybody ever try carrying a Native American type flute on 
the trail?

I play guitar, but find the idea of packing even the lighter 
"backpacking" guitars to be the equivalent of a mouse 
carrying a grand piano - one or the other is bound to get 
hurt at some point.

Harmonicas are lightweight, but oh so tricky to play with 
any sense of dignity. (I was hoping I'd end up the next 
Howard Levy, but it just ain't so.)

That leaves the kazoo, the juice harp, and of course the 
hand flute. A hand flute musician - technically called a 
manualist (seriously! there's a guy from PA who plays an 
amazing set of hands) - has the ultimate in lightweight, 
packable entertainment. But most amateur hand-fluters have 
trouble with pitch and possess a notable lack of range.

So we're back to the Native American flute. The higher 
pitched models are relatively small, and hollowed cedar or 
mahogany keeps them light. Again, deceptively tricky to play 
with any degree of integrity, and pretty squirrely on tone 
without "the right stuff." But beautiful if you happen to 
know what you're doing. And perfect, I would think, for the 
wilderness.

Anyone?

www.coyoteoldman.com (the real deal)

- blisterfree

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