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Special Flutes For Your Special Occasion

About Me

Jim seated at piano holding Native American flute

Hi, my name is Jim Mayhew and thank you for visiting my webpage.

I’ve been playing and teaching the flute for nearly half a century.

I began in 4th grade and continued through high school, performing in wedding reception bands and learning more about woodwinds along the way.

I learned an incredible amount about the flute and musicianship at the Armed Forces School of Music and during my years as an Army Bandsman.

I was blessed to study flute under two members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra while earning my degrees in Music and History from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

I continued to play weddings, church services, funerals, and in various community bands after graduation.

While working as a Park Ranger at the Gateway Arch, I learned about and gave presentations about the Native American Flute.

I have recorded and produced three CDs of music for the Native American Flute and compiled a book of music for the Native American Flute.

My knowledge of flutes and flute-like instruments, experience in performing in a variety of functions, and passion for sharing and presenting flute music makes me a great choice to provide music tailored for your purposes.

Teaching music is an important part of being a musician. I have given private flute, penny whistle, and Native American flute lessons to children and adults. I have also given group lessons to high school flute sections and conducted student orchestras at Providence Fine Arts Center, a home-school arts education group. My goal as a teacher is to discover the student’s goals, then bring the student to a high level of proficiency and musicianship that match or exceeds those goals.

Because of my deep roots in the St. Louis area and my understanding of our unique community, I can provide that indefinable something extra that will make your event special.

Testimonials

"Jim is the Real Deal. Not only an outstanding improvisor, but a complete pro. Jim was a great asset to a symphonic premiere I wrote, being able to read music and express a thorough knowledge of the instrument and its history. He is a deep soul as well; his music comes from his heart and touches people deeply. The Native American flute is not an instrument to be taken lightly, and Jim's complete musicianship understands that the music you make is a reflection of your very soul."

Gary Gackstatter

Teacher/Conductor at Meremac College

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"I took beginning lessons from Jim, and he was amazing. I have a physical disability that made learning flute a challenge, and other instructors I interviewed told me they couldn't teach me to play. Jim was patient, persistent, and an expert in instruction. He had to develop a different teaching plan for me, and when one thing didn’t work, he shifted to another strategy. Today I am thoroughly enjoying playing the flute, and I have Jim to thank for that."

Paula B

Student

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"Jim was very professional and performed just the right songs for my mother’s funeral. The arrangements were very beautiful and calming. He was accompanied by his lovely wife Annette on piano. This meant a lot to us in our time of need and was very appreciated."

Michael & Gail Viviano

Client

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"Jim Mayhew completely captivated my university students with his mastery of American Indian flute music and engaged them with information about the instrument and its history. His presentation was an important contribution to the study of American Indian Art."

Mary Vermilion

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More Information About Native American Flute

The Native American Flute

by Jim Mayhew

Enveloping the woodlands like an early-morning fog, the sound was unlike anything they had ever heard. “Strolling one evening in the vicinity of the camp, I heard the sound of some musical instrument, and upon approaching the performer, who was lying under a tree, I found that he was playing an instrument resembling a flageolet in construction, but much softer in tone.” Paul Kane – “Wanderings of an artist among the Indians of North America – 1859”. Not quite like the folk songs or serious music they were accustomed to, but definitely not a sound of nature, the Europeans traversing North America recorded their impressions of the continent’s unique indigenous instrument; the Native American Flute.

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If you’re interested in flute, Native American flute, or other flute-related music for your wedding, funeral, ceremony, special presentations, recordings, or musical collaborations contact me. If you want to introduce your child to the world of music, flute is a great place to start. I have the experience, skills, and passion for the instrument to meet all of your flute-related musical needs.

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Featured Work

The three CDs reflect different aspects of Native American Flute. “Sonrise” is an eclectic gathering of songs from various genres chosen to tell the most important story ever told in a new and different way. “Confluence” is a documentation of a variety of songs from many American Indian nations arranged for Native American Flute. “Sonata” blends Native American Flute with the forms and instruments of classical music. The book, “Songs of the Nations,” collects Native American music into a form designed for the Native American Flute player. More information about these items is available in the Store page.

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