About Us

 

One hot August night, the moon full and bright. I was making my way back to camp alone in the quietness. An enormous stick game had just ended and the powwow grounds were all but asleep.
Dancing had been exhausting and only a few people were still moving about. In the distance music could be heard but, what was making it? Drawing nearer and staying in the shadows the I stood and listened. In the dim glow of a flickering gas lighted doorway to a travel trailer was an old man playing on a native flute. He played as if playing to my soul.
I was sure he didn't notice me but all of a sudden he called to me. "Come, sit and listen" he said to me. Minutes turned into an hour and I knew that this wonderful instrument was going to be a part of me somehow, It seems that this man was a healer.

He knew that I had something missing in my life. My mother was at the powwow and very ill. This wonderful man offered to play a healing song and come to visit with my mother. Mom enjoyed her visit with him and he took me under his wing as it were for the rest of the weekend. many more times I had the opportunity to hear him play his flute. I knew I had to have one somehow.

Having no musical background and cash flow being very restricted, my chances of getting one at the powwow were slim and none. As it turns out, this was probably a blessing in disguise. Had money not been a factor, I would probably have bought one of the decoration flutes being sold at the powwow. I was so anxious but had no idea of what to look for in a flute.
I was forced into looking into other avenues to acquire this magical instrument.

The internet offered some information of where to purchase a flute but didn't allow for me to connect with it first. However, there were also a few resources that helped learn to build one. The first thing I did was join a group and read 5000 posts concerning many aspects of flute making. I remember about two weeks of solid reading and only made sense of a small amount of it.
It seems that if I had any knowledge of woodworking that may have helped too. I made a few flutes that sounded pretty good to me. I had purchased a tuner so I knew they were close to being tuned. Not having anything to compare to I felt I was doing good.
About 3 months later I was gifted a flute that was a masterpiece compared to mine. The voice was loud and clear. It was round where mine looked like I beat it on a rock. I became frustrated and only made a few flutes in the next 5 years. Still, there was something I needed to do.

This was get back to refining this instrument that I had felt this connection with. Two years later is where I am at and the Creator has set it upon my soul to share the flute with others. This is what I intend to do and with the Great Spirits guidance will do for some time to come.......So, Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WMFlutes is so named, honoring my given birth name. Though names have been changed due to circumstances beyond my control, be assured that native ancestry is truly being honored in my humble dwelling

When I first started making flutes, I made a few flutes for friends and family that made sound.  It was a seven year progression between when I made my first flute until I made my first tuned flute.  When someone comes to me to purchase a flute it is usually a 20-30 minute process.  First I point out the various price ranges and let them choose which to look at.  Then, as they look through the flutes, I invite them to choose 3-4 that they like visually.  Next, they handle the flutes one at a time, just testing to see what feels best in their hands.  This usually this narrows the choice down to 2 flutes.  When the person finally plays the flute it is really a matter of the flute choosing them.  This is what I mean when I say, “WM Flutes, Where the Flute Plays You.”

 

 Price ought not to deter a person from having a flute.  When I was first introduced to the Native American flute I was unable to purchase a flute due to the cost.  Now I am grateful to have the ability to create beautiful flutes and gift flutes as I am led.  My heart is to create flutes that fill particular needs.  On occasion I meet someone who needs a flute yet cannot afford to purchase one.  When there is a special need, I feel it in my heart. There is a connection, a meeting of spirit and conscious that tells me when to gift a flute to someone in need. 

 

 I am inspired by the music and the ability it has to bring people together.  Native American flute music builds harmony between people; it also bridges the gap between humans, animals and nature.

 

My future vision is to spend time traveling with wife in our motor home, taking flute music to places it may not have been.  I see myself as a modern day kokopeli, spreading flute music and harmony wherever I go.  I’ll build, sell and gift flutes.  No pressure, we’ll just take our time and enjoy the adventure.

 

                                      William Moses Rinker