Lesson 7c R. Carlos Nakai: Shaman's Call

Listening Activities (LO7.3)

This unaccompanied native American composition is a beginning prayer emulating the soaring Eagle's call to the sky and the earth. The music is composed and performed by R. Carlos Nakai on a native American flute. Native American flute is a very unique instrument. Each instrument is individually handcrafted and has variations in tone quality, tuning, and scale, which are determined by the specific flute maker's sense of what sounds right.

native american flute

Shaman's Call music has eight phrases of similar length that are group into four periods (sentences). The motive in each phrase is repeated or extended with ornamentation. The music starts with two phrases that begin in a similar fashion but conclude with different cadences. The descending melodic direction of most phrases is characteristic of many Native American melodies.

Watch the video of R. Carlos Nakai: Shaman's Call which outlines the melodic structure of that piece. Listen attentively to the music. Can you hear the motive and the cadence in each phrase?

Nakai - Earth Spirit (Canyon Records CR-612)

James DeMars' Two World Concerto for native American flute and orchestra is commissioned by the Heard Museum, and the Phoenix Symphony. It was premiered by the Phoenix Symphony under the direction of James Sedares on March 4, 1993.

The titles of this three-movement work combine Native American images with phrases by the French poet Michel Sarda. This excerpt is from the opening movement Spirit Call: "paint for us the times to come". As the composer states, this movement is "a spiritual journey exploring the visions of the ancients through a dialogue of the Native American flute melodies and counter melodies based on European and Arabic traditions."

Two World Concerto begins with a chord in the orchestra that dissolves into Nakai's Shaman's Call. The orchestral accompaniment gradually develops its musical ideas based on Arabic scales. The flute and orchestra exchange ideas until the flute brings the first section to a close.

Listen attentively to an excerpt of the Two World Concerto by James DeMars below. Can you hear the melodic structure of the Shaman's Call?

James DeMars and Canyon Symphony Orchestra (Canyon Records CR-7016)

Quick Check (LO7.3)

The musical ideas of James DeMars' Two World Concerto are based upon:

Native American flute melodies.

That's partially correct.

Phrases by a French poet.

That's partially correct.

The music of Shaman's Call.

That's partially correct.

Arabic scales.

That's partially correct.

All of the above

That's correct. Good job!

Check Answer