FLUTES of elderberry pierced by a row of holes, are played at a 45-degree angle or nearly vertical and to one side of the mouth, the player blowing across the thin end, opening and closing the finger holes to form the notes. Flute playing was a favorite pastime of young men and served as an aid to courtship. Styles varied from group to group. Four versions are illustrated above.

WHISTLES (left) made from two sections of the hollow stems of wild cane bound together with twine or thread, one end stopped with pitch, are a part of the dance equipment of most Central California groups. Cane whistles may vary from 4-1/2” to 8” long. A similar whistle, though usually shorter, made of bird bone, is sometimes used. Cane whistles may be available undecorated (#720) or decorated (#721) with suspensions of abalone pendants, clamshell and/or glass seed beads.

The MUSICAL BOW (below) is the only stringed instrument of Native California. It is tapped as a restful amusement in the manner of a Jews’ harp. It is recorded among the Pomo, Yokuts, Miwok, Maidu and Diegueño. The POMO type illustrated below (#725) is shaped of ash or other wood, painted with red and black designs, and strung with two twisted sinew strings. It is about 24” long. The YOKUTS type (#726) is made of undecorated elderberry wood and but one sinew string. It is sometimes up to 30” in length.

Upper right: Molded bulbous rawhide rattle stitched with sinew, bound onto willow handle with buckskin thong; painted with red and black earth pigments; about 12" long. #711.

Lower right: Lens-shaped buckskin rawhide rattle bound onto willow handle with buckskin thong; about 10" long. #710.

SHASTA (shown at left). Ten to twelve deer toes attached to buckskin thongs wrapped with beargrass and bound onto a wooden handle, the buckskin and handle stained with red earth paint; about 7" long. #712.

MAIDU. Approximately thirty deer toes, each attached to separate buckskin thongs and secured to a wooden handle by wrapped sinew; about 10" long. #713.

ACHOMAWI (Pit River). Approximately thirty deer dew claws attached to a strip of fringed buckskin with glass trade beads, wrapped on wooden handle; about 13" long. #714.

CUPEÑO. Sixteen large deer toes, each attached to separate heavy cotton twine strands and secured to a twine-braided handle; about 6" long. #715.

CHUMASH CLAMSHELL RATTLE (above). Matching clam shells attached at end of a wooden handle and sealed with asphaltum, cord wrappings on handle; about 10" long. #716.

CAHUILLA GOURD RATTLE (left). Large dried gourd attached to a wooden handle and bound with rawhide or sealed with asphaltum; 10 – 18" long.
#717. Undecorated.
#718. Painted with geometric or zoomorphic designs.

A “square” hand drum seems to be the only version of this instrument indigenous to California, and that only to the native peoples of the northwestern corner of the state. This drum is used primarily during handgame sessions rather than dance, where the predominant instrument is the clapper stick. The Yurok, Hupa, Karok, and Tolowa fashion such drums from redwood covered with deer or elk hide. They are sometimes painted with geometrical designs similar to those found in the basketry from the area, occasionally carved, but usually undecorated.
#703. About 15" x 15", 6" thick.
#704. About 10" x 11", 3-1/2" thick.

CLAPPER STICKS are the customary rhythm instruments to accompany song and dance for most California tribes. Made from a short length of soft wood (usually elderberry), one end is split and the pith removed; the un-split end serving as a handle. When shaken or struck against the palm a clacking rhythm is achieved.

Painted or burned designs sometimes distinguish origin. The examples illustrated above (top to bottom) represent historic examples from the Pomo (burned bands), Patwin/Wintun (bands of red pigment), another Pomo version (burned diamond pattern), Patwin/Pomo (with carved notch and red pigment), Western Mono (shorter than most and painted with designs in red or black), Tachi Yokuts (design painted in red or black). Not shown is a Maidu/Miwok version without design but fully painted with red ochre.