July 10, 2002
Artisan draws on past for future flute creations
Woody Swifteagles hand carves Native American instruments
By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
Woody Swifteagles likes to believe he crafts flutes the way Stradivarius would have if he had been Native American. Using traditional methods, Swifteagles of Traverse City, hand carves fine instruments in much the same way his ancestors would have.
The self-taught artisan got his start five-years ago when he acquired his first flute in a trade.
"I just wanted a better flute," said Swifteagles, who also enjoys playing. "I was insistent on making a better one. I'm always trying to improve and make one that works better than the last."
Swifteagles credits his father, who was of Apache and Aztec dissent, with teaching him by example.
"When I decided to follow my native traditional ways, I wanted to work with my hands like my father did, to try to provide a living for my family," Swifteagles said. "In a way my father set the path, he taught me in an indirect way, it was up to me to find the manner."
Using a small knife and shaving plane, Swifteagles transforms lengths of red cedar, curly maple and walnut into unique works of art, each one taking up to a week to complete.
"I just take off little bits at a time, you can't put it back if you take off too much. Everything I do is by sight and feel."
Of course, the ultimate goal is to produce a desirable sound.
"A hand carved flute will take on a spirit of its own. Everything is variable, not totally uniform. There are differences in thickness that will make subtle differences in the way the flute plays," he noted as he demonstrated his craft during Sunday's Cherry Festival arts and crafts fair.
For Swifteagles, the hours he spends on each instrument provide a connection to his Native American roots.
"It is my belief that our ancestors can guide us in ways we don't understand. I did not begin making flutes until many years after my father passed away. I would like to think he's looking over my shoulder and smiling," Swifteagles said.
"When I come up with something new on a flute, I always wonder if it was my father's hand in that or mine."
For more information on Swifteagles and Treesong Flutes visit www.NAFlutes.com