I play the Native American Flute ... or, if not made by a card-carrying registered member of a federally recognized tribe, such a flute is known as a Native American STYLE flute.
I picked it up about 20 years ago, but got really immersed in it 10 years ago when I was in Heart Failure and had an LVAD in me while waiting for a donor heart. Long story short = I believe my extensive playing of this simple flute helped my heart to heal well enough such that I never did need a transplant. I still have my native (albeit Anglo) heart.
I can't read a note of music but this instrument doesn't hold that against me. It's not for playing others' music, but for self expression and it's natural pentatonic scale makes creating simple melodies pretty easy. Unlike the silver transverse concert flute, which require a challenging manipulation of the air-steam via pursing one's lips into a controlled embouchure, this Native American flute (NAF) only requires a gentle, natural breath. If you want to learn more, I enjoy teaching others - feel free to reach out. I am an active participant in the forums at
The Flute Portal (you will recognize my user name!)
The video here was shot at a local radio station where my drumming friend and I were guests ... promoting my friend's Raptor Rehab Center. We played a half dozen "songs" ... all improv, "music in the moment". My buddy liked this one and he suggested we call it "Visions". I still haven't really "learned" it ... it comes out different every time I try to recapture the original, which is fine = no worries!
Native Flute Video of Mono Loco
Edit: NAF-AS is real, too - different keys, different wood species, different makers, ... I have dozens in my own collection, plus dozens more "in stock" for resale at local events or for classes I host. I never collected Hot Wheels, Baseball Cards, Marbles, or anything as a kid ... I now collect flutes, I guess!