A flute is not just a wooden instrument. According to ancient Indians, it is a medium which transfers breath (prana) into something musical (sur). One can even find metal flutes made of nickel-silver, silver, gold and even platinum. Wooden flutes are the most commonly seen. Wooden flute requires tighter blowing style as compared to a metal flute because wood offers more resistance. The resultant sound is more powerful and rich than what is produced by a metal flute. But it has its cons; as lips get tired easily and subtlety of sound is sometimes lost.
The Native American flute is a wooden flute with a distinct sound. It was originally used in environments conducive to meditation, and healing; though now, it has gained popularity and is played with different styles of music. The Native American flute is usually made from aromatic cedar, juniper or redwood, though even plastic is now days used. The flute has 5 or 6 holes but sometimes one can find 7 holes also. The American Indian flute has two chambers, both of which are separated by a partition.
There are two types of American Indian flutes; plains flute and woodlands flute. The construction of both types of flutes is different from one another.