Origin of the Flageolet - Sheet Music for Native American Flute

This melody comes from the Mandan and Hidatsa legend of the Origin of the Flageolet. The melody was collected and transcribed by Frances Densmore in her Mandan and Hidatsa Music ([Densmore 1923] ), pages 80–84:

Flageolet Melody, from [Densmore 1923] , page 83

Transcription and Performance Notes

Two versions of the melody are transcribed below:

• The original melody as shown in Frances Densmore's 1923 publication. This melody is in a major mode that requires some cross-fingerings on the Native Amercian flute.
• A variation of the original melody, converting it to a minor key. This version requires no cross-fingerings and is probably easier to play for less experienced players.

The two versions provide a great example of the difference between a major and a minor melody.

Recording

Here are two recordings I made on October 29, 2011. They are each taken once through the melody, with no repeats, and are both on the same flute, an F# minor flute by Colyn Petersen:

Original Major Key Melody

Original Major Key Melody. Clint Goss. F# minor flute of Alaskan Cedar by Colyn Petersen.

Modified for Minor Tuning

Modified for Minor Tuning. Clint Goss. F# minor flute of Alaskan Cedar by Colyn Petersen.

Sheet Music - Original Major Tuning - Six-hole Pentatonic Minor Tuned Flutes

Origin of the Flageolet - Original Major Tuning - Six-hole Pentatonic Minor Tuned Flutes

Sheet Music - Minor Version of the Melody - Six-hole Pentatonic Minor Tuned Flutes

Origin of the Flageolet - Minor Version of the Melody - Six-hole Pentatonic Minor Tuned Flutes