About Blue Bear Flutes
Welcome to Blue Bear Flutes, a place where we celebrate our profound passion for arts and crafts, deeply intertwined with our family's rich heritage and traditions. Our name, Mato-Toyela, which translates to "Bear-Blue," not only signifies our identity but also highlights the connection we share with the world around us and the stories that shape us. The bear holds a significant place in the hearts of many Native American cultures, symbolizing healing, strength, and a comprehensive understanding of the medicinal plants that nature generously. As proud enrolled members of the Cherokee Aniyunwiya tribe, we honor our ancestry and invite you to explore the and meaningful craftsmanship of our handcrafted flutes, each piece reflecting our cultural legacy and dedication to the art.
What is the best flute for a beginner?
Blue Bear recommends his 5 hole Beginner Native American flutes. These are the best for beginners primarily due to both price, ease of maintenance and ease of playing. If you are a beginner and are interested in something a little lower in tone, an A, G or F# would be great for you as well! In addition, if there is a different flute that you are mainly interested in, it will be great for you as well because as I always say "it's best to choose what inspires you"!
Why are most of the Blue Bear flutes 5 hole flutes?
Great questions! The early Native Americans made many different types of flutes including 4 hole, 5 hole and 6 hole types all of which were discovered across the Americas. After great historical research, it appears that no particular tribes had the patent on any specific types of flutes. There were tribes which seem to have held on to certain flute types for longer than others, however that did not stop them from creating any of the other types!
Why are your mouthpieces rounded rather than pointy as some other flute maker's are?
Great Question! There are a number of reasons that a flute maker makes a specific type of mouthpiece. For example our "open" type mouthpieces are designed that way based on the original river cane flute's design. Also, as it is with our rounded type mouthpieces, the designs we use at Blue Bear Flutes are partly responsible for delaying the "wetting-out" process which most woodwinds go through. Additionally, there were so many different designs of Native American Flutes which historically look one way or the other, this is simply a design which has been historically tried and true!
Q. Does Blue Bear make all of his flutes hinself?
Absolutely! I realize that there are flute makers out there who's prices may make you wonder if they are importing the flutes they have for sale, however we do make all of our flutes ourselves! If our flutes are not made by me, Charlie Mato-Toyela, then they are made by my wife Jessie and sometimes one of our kids may have been a little help in the process. All of our flutes are checked and/or tuned by me before shipping of course! In regards to the amps, bags and books: I helped design each of these and even wrote the book, however I am not over here soldering amps and sewing bags. We have these items made for us, to our specifications and to our liking as you may notice I use all of our products myself! Our flutes however are all Native American Made: my family and I are members of the Cherokee Aniyunwiya Nation, a historically located Guntersville (Creek Path) and Marshall County Alabama State Recognized Tribe.
Return Policy
Please check out our FAQ Page for our return policy.
Shipping Policy
Please check out our FAQ Page for our shipping policy.
