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The Artist Richard Burdick
During several years of being in the public eye as a flutist, Richard has spoken to many people who gave their opinion of what they would like to see and hear when he played for them. Richard has handcrafted many flutes that are very popular in the public eye. However, the flute that has always stolen the hearts of many is the is the Granddaddy Flute, with its deep haunting melody. People's hearts flow through the perfect sounding, deep tone, six hole Granddaddy Flute. The quality of the large 24" Granddaddy Flute can be imagined, but felt when it's played. Richard personally signs every flute he builds by hand and give each flute a number. "I feel this will personalize each individual flute with value more and more every year to come," says Richard. Richard Burdick plays an active role in his Native American culture. He was born on, and still lives on the Ute Reservation in Roosevelt, Utah. He helps his ancestors live on through his flute music -- for there is no music to read; all of Richard's flute music comes from his heart and through the spirits of his great-grandfathers-- thus helping his heritage live on . Every hand-crafted flute has its own distinguished
attribute. The beautiful natural elegance of the cedar personalizes each
flute, carved to perfection, by the hands of Richard Burdick.
Playing the Native American Love Flute comes naturally to Richard Burdick because of his heritage from the Ute and Piute tribes. He is very proud of his ancestry and has spent many years researching and making Love Flutes from cedar wood. It is traditional to use cedar wood in making these flutes because cedar trees have shallow roots and this allows a cedar to pull toward other trees. This was meaningful to the Native American people who lived together in tribes. Like a cedar tree, they were never alone. The love flutes are still used in courtship and have a very peaceful effect on those listening and playing them. Richard is able to turn an ordinary piece of cedar into a beautiful work of art. Each flute is individually hand carved and carefully crafted to give just the right tones as it is played. Richard learned this art when he was younger, influenced by watching his father work as a seasoned silversmith, making Native American jewelry. In addition to composing music, Richard teaches others how to play the flute. He has recorded an album of original Indian flute music entitled "Native Heart". The melodies on this album are original songs from the heart, designed to create the feeling of peace. Other natural sounds such as an elk bugle, birds, rattles, water and thunder, accompany the flute in his album, "Native Heart".
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