DESCRIPTION:
The Mayan Temple Flute, also known as the Harmony Flute, is a multi-chambered, multi-keyed flute, that has its origins dating back to between 200BCE and 1200CE. Each chamber can be played as a solo flute, alternating between the left and right, or both chambers together. This creates an immersive, harmonious, and highly resonant sound.
This style of flute originated in the Mayan and Teotihuacan cultures, where it was commonly crafted from clay and played by priests and villagers. It has been adapted into a wooden flute that combines the traditional Mayan dual chambered clay flute, with the totem and slow air chamber from the modern Native American Style Flute.

About the wood
Western Red Cedar is the quintessential Native American flute wood. Very light to hold, this flute-wood produces a classic warm, rich and resonant tone. Being a softwood, it is very absorbent which helps in reducing moisture buildup within the flute while playing. It is typically a light brown colour with a sweet woody aroma under the nose. Traditionally known as the “long life maker” or “tree of life”, Western Red Cedar is native to the American Pacific North West, and to this day has extensive applications among First Nations peoples.
The Western Red Cedar Mayan Temple Flute features Black Walnut on the mouthpiece, for added durability.

About the tuning
Each Mayan Temple Flute is tuned to the first four notes of the minor pentatonic scale. This consists of the root note, minor third, perfect fourth, fifth, and the thumb hole as a minor sixth from the root note when all holes are uncovered. The left and right chambers of the flute harmonize as they are tuned fifths apart – the right hand chamber has a low E root note, and the left has a high B root note.

About the stone
In the Western Red Cedar Drone Flute range, turquoise is set into the totem as well as into the flute (within the copper Tui bird). Turquoise is a sacred stone used for centuries by Native American peoples in all healing work. This is a stone of peace, serenity and tranquility. Southern Cross Flutes uses only natural undyed turquoise.

About the finish
All flutes are finished with a completely natural and chemical free wood oil, from plant oils and tree resins, by a local New Zealand company. This blend of ingredients protects and nourishes the flute, as well as showcasing the unique grain of the wood. The final touch is a good ol’ buff with Carnauba wax, which helps to wick away moisture from the air channel while creating a durable and lustrous finish.

For more information and flute insights, visit www.southerncrossflutes.com
These videos have been produced by Todd Chaplin from Southern Cross Flutes, New Zealand. Native American Style Flutes crafted in New Zealand.