Native American Flute Identification

This page helps identify the maker of a flute. It shows several pictures of typical flutes constructed by a maker, typically the shape of the block and some design element.

Note on the INAFA Project

I began this page on Flutopedia before hearing about the Native American flute identification project undertaken by the International Native American Flute Association (INAFA). The INAFA effort is much more comprehensive and far-reaching, but is not yet on-line.

So, I'm publishing what I have now as interim information. In the future, when the INAFA flute identification project goes on-line, this information will be provided to that effort and this page will be changed to point to that resource.

Click on any image on this page to see a larger version. All photos on this page are by Clint Goss, unless otherwise noted.

If you know of a flute that is not listed, or have an update to a flute that is listed, please support this effort by sending me this information:

• One to five high quality JPG images showing some characteristic elements of the flute — the block, maybe a signature or logo, and maybe some specific design element. I'm trying to go for a minimum of 1000x1000 pixels, although 600x600 will work.
• The name of the photographer of the images.
• The name of the maker.
• Alternate names of the maker (such as Toubat for Dr. Richard W. Payne).
• The make of flutes (such as “Soaring Teradactyl Flutes” or some such), if appropriate.
• The birth/death date(s) of the maker, if known.
• A web site for more information. If no web site is appropriate, then the email address of the maker.
• Your name.

Alf Jetzer

Forest Flute

Barry Higgins - White Crow Flutes

Belo Cozad (1864–1950)

From the collection of Dr. Richard W. Payne. Left photo is of a Belo Cozad flute acquired 1945; Right two photos are of a flute made about 1930.

Photograph courtesy of Russ Wolf.

Brent Haines - Woodsounds Flutes

Butch Hall - Butch Hall Flutes

Colyn Petersen - Woodland Voices

Dan Red Buffalo

From the collection of Dr. Richard W. Payne, a flute made about 1930.

Photograph courtesy of Russ Wolf.

Edward Kort - Wood Wind Flutes

Gary Kuhl

Hawk Littlejohn (1941-2000) - Woodsong Flutes

Photo courtesy of Scott August.

Helio Portales

Jack Thomas

Images courtesy of the maker. Jack's blocks are typically unique and custom-made, but note the signature on the nest of the flutes. Older flutes were signed with “JT”.

Jim Morehouse - Flutewood Flutes

Images from the Flutewood Flutes web site.

Kai Mayberger - White Raven Drum Works

Keith Stanford - CherryCows Flutes

aka “ki-e-ta”. Photos courtesy of Keith Stanford.

Larry Spieler - Chris ti Coom Flutes

Leonard McGann - Lone Crow Flutes

Marty Lisonbee - Native Echo Flutes

Michael Graham Allen - Coyote Oldman

Odell Borg - High Spirits Flutes

Paul Thompson

Richard Maynard - Laughing Crow Flutes

Richard Payne (1918-2004)

aka Toubat

Werner John - Flutewalker Musical Arts

Photos courtesy of Lynn Saltiel.