The latest news from Scott August and Cedar Mesa Music The Scott August Newsletter Members Summer 2008
	Welcome! Summer Members 2008           Echoes From The Mesa IN THIS ISSUE Ancient Light to air on PBS Native American flutes Scales and Modes: part 1 New Download Appearances Reviews Anasazi Signature flutes   ANCIENT LIGHT ON PBS Ancient Light, Scott August's DVD, is scheduled to air on PBS this summer in selected markets. Currently scheduled are KAET in Arizona and KNME in New Mexico. These broadcasts will feature a special edition of Ancient Light that includes more information about some of the places featured in the program. This edition is not yet available to the public so you won't want to miss this exciting presentation. Here is a schedule of the air times: KAET, Phoenix Sunday, July 20th, 2:00 pm Friday, July 25th, 12:00 am www.azpbs.org KNME, Albuquerque Thursday,, July 24th, 7:00 pm www.knme.org Please support these broadcasts by contacting the stations to let them know you are excited they are showing "Ancient Light." KAET Phone: (480) 965-2308 Click to Email or use eight@asu.edu KNME Phone: (505) 277-1220 Email or used viewer5@knme.org   Native American Flute Scales and Modes: Part 1 During my travels, workshops and performances I'm asked many times by Native American flute players and audience members about the scale of the Native American flute. Surprisingly, even among long time players and makers, there seems to be some confusion about the scale and the other modes that can be played on a NAF. Many people don't know what the scale is and it is often mislabeled as a "native "scale which, in it's most common form today, it is not. History tells us that at one time the scales of the Native American flute varied greatly and that there was no standardized scale system. Today however, the NAF is most commonly tuned to the minor pentatonic scale, a western scale which like most, if not all, "western" scales can trace it's roots back to ancient Greece. But what makes a scale minor pentatonic? Or major pentatonic? Or major, the most common western scale? Is a scale the same as a key, and if not, how do they differ? To understand the the scale of the Native American flute it's best to understand how scales are constructed. Not only will this give the player and maker a better understanding of the Native American flute, it will make them better musicians. For behind knowing about scales lies the secrets to what musical keys are all about, which different keyed flutes sound good together, what different modes sound good together and what is meant by terms such as Diatonic, Pentatonic, Major, Minor and Mode. These terms come up with increasing frequency during flute circles, online discussion groups and between individual players and makers. In this series of post we're going to try to answer these questions in a way that is simple for a non-musician to understand. Read the Full Article   NEW DOWNLOAD River's Edge The sun was pressing down like a hot iron as I walked across the naked sandstone. It was mid July in Canyonlands, not the best time to be out in the full sun but my schedule had forced me to be in southeastern Utah that time of year and nothing could be done about it. My friends Cathy and Joel from Moab had brought me deep into the maze of rock and sun, braving a heat that they would normally avoid. Locals tend to visit the area we were in the spring and fall. The road into the back country required four wheel drive, something my truck doesn't have, so heading out in their red 4Runner we descended toward the Green river. Listen or Download and read the full story.   SOME UPCOMING SCOTT AUGUST PERFORMANCES AUGUST 2008 July 9 - 13, 2008 INAFA Convention Haas Fine Arts Center University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Clair, WI Scott will be performing and giving a workshop. For more information visit the INAFA website OCTOBER 2008 Thursday, October 16, 2008 Native American Institute 1465 N. Batavia Street Orange, CA 92867 Visitor Information Time: 7:00 PM Price: TBA Click here for more appearances   REVIEWS "It alarms me that an artist of Scott August’s caliber managed to release five recordings (his sixth is coming very soon) and I have only now heard his music. Guess I’m not such an icon in the industry after all, am I? I named this to my best of 2007 list, but it’s even better than that. I’d place it in my top ten for Native-influenced fusion music, period. Yeah, high praise, but after playing this album at least ten times prior to writing this review, I’m sure it belongs there. August plays way too many specific instruments to recount here, but among them are flutes (primarily the Anasazi flute which this recording seems to pay tribute to), piano, percussion, guitars, ethnic instruments such as the kalimba gamelan, and “textures” which I take to mean the application of synthesizers in assorted permutations. In this last aspect, August should give lessons to others as his dexterous superb blending of synths adds just the right amount to any song on which it’s featured. Never too over the top yet also not so subtle as to make the listener question whether anything has been added at all. He’s also an amazing percussionist across the full spectrum of the drums and other instruments which he uses on the CD. Variety is the catch word here, as Lost Canyons contains everything from the plaintive beauty of the opening “Morning Star” (Anasazi flute, alabaster chimes and textures, the latter two coming into play later in the song) to the lively “Raven Dance” which intermixes percussion from just about every continent with guitar, piano and Tiger Maple flute. And those are just the first two songs on the album! Not often is a Native flute player so adept at other instruments that he/she can even craft great music without using his/her principle instrument, but August does that on that ambient-esque “Desert Skies” (atmospheric guitar, gamelan, kalimba, Thunder drum and textures). “Where Spirits Dwell” marries tribal beats with Balinese gamelan and the cross-culture fusion is a celebration of the way music bridges disparate cultures. “Swallows & Nighthawks” is the only solo flute song on the CD (although three others feature Anasazi flute with synth textures the only accompaniment), another distinguishing aspect of Lost Canyons from many other releases in this sub-genre (Native flute and Native-influenced fusion). I could go on describing the other eight selections in detail but my word limit means I have to keep it short. So, I’ll just hit on a few more highlights, such as the eight-and-a-half minute title track (meant to convey the viewing of long lost desert native people’s dwellings, perhaps along the lines of Arizona’s Montezuma’s Castle, which I had the pleasure of viewing several months ago). The song showcases August’s prodigious talent at balancing all his instruments (in this case, Anasazi flute, kalimba, udu, tabla, guitars, piano, rainstick) fusing them into not just a cohesive musical statement but a unique artistic expression in a subgenre where it’s not always easy to stand out. Showing that he can dial up the energy and infuse some more modern touches into his fusion music, “Chasing the Sun” bounces along with kinetic energy, propelled by no less than seven different types of drum/percussion instruments and ambient-like electric guitar flourishes. The two closing tracks, “Twilight Canyon” and “Evening Star” are great conclusions to the album, the former featuring Curly Redwood Bass flute, piano, guitar, textures and “incidental crickets” and the latter only the soothing sounds of Anasazi flute and subtle synthesizer brushings, conveying the fading of daylight in the desert as stars pop out in an orange-then-violet and finally pitch black night sky. It’s a perfect ending to the rare perfect recording. No criticisms from me whatsoever on this one. I only wish I had heard of Scott August sooner. Fantastic album - buy it! " Rating: Excellent -Bill Binkelman. New Age Reporter   SCOTT AUGUST SIGNATURE ANASAZI FLUTE   The Scott August Signature Anasazi flute is still going strong. These professional quality instruments are made by Geoffrey Ellis of Earth Tone Flutes and are perfect for both beginning and advanced players. Ideal for concert stage, recording studios or just nodding around alone as you discover your true Kokopelli. Geoffrey Ellis and Scott have been refining the design and the flutes are close being released. These flutes have the distinctive warm, low sound that Scott strives for in his recordings while still keeping ease of playing in mind. Several prototypes have been constructed and extensively tested. The result is a warm, resonant low tone with a silky smooth response. To satisfy both the collector and the everyday flute player these flutes will be available in two lines The Scott August Signature Ansaszi Flute and The Scott August Anasazi Flute Series   The Scott August Signature Ansaszi Flute   The Scott August Signature Ansaszi Flute Shown above, this is a limited edition flute. Only twenty five flutes will be offered per year, each year will it's own distinct design. Made of eastern red cedar The Scott August Signature Anasazi Flute is tastefully accented with a crushed turquoise Cedar Mesa Music logo and Bore Rings in a style reminiscent of Chaco Canyon jewelry. Each flute will be signed by Scott August, Numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity, a bag and maintenance kit. Available in the keys of Ab and A these flutes will be made to order to accommodate both right and left handed players. See below for prices and availability.   The Scott August Anasazi Flute Series Also made of eastern red cedar the Scott August Anasazi Flute Series is a more affordable version of the Signature flute accented with a wood burned Cedar Mesa Music logo and Bore Rings. Each flute will come with a bag and a flute maintenance kit. Available in the keys of Ab and A, with other keys to be announced, these flutes will be made to order to accommodate both right and left handed players. See below for prices and availability.   The Scott August Ansaszi Flute Series           Prices and availability These flutes will be available starting April 21th, 2008. Shipping to be announced. The Scott August Signature Ansaszi Flute: Price: $350.00 One of 25 Signed and numbered flutes. Keys available: Ab and A Comes with a certificate of authenticity, a bag and maintenance kit The Scott August Anasazi Flute Series Price: $235.00. Keys available: Ab and A. Other keys to be announced. Comes with a bag and maintenance kit How to order To order your flute email the following information to Cedar Mesa Music Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Email us which key you'd like and which hand you place on the bottom holes of your flutes: right or left? We don't need a deposit. Once we get this information you’ll be put on the list. It’s “first come first flute...” Please note: There is no E-mailing List discount on Anasazi Flutes Echoes From The Music is the quarterly newsletter from Cedar Mesa Music and Scott August © 2008 Cedar Mesa Music Please direct all correspondence to news@cedarmesa.com
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