Native American flutist and flute maker performed a small concert with Bill William, Angela Moisa, and a few volunteers from the crowd on Tuesday at Long Beach City College’s LAC location.
Lopez and William have been performing together for around seven years now. They first performed together at El Camino College, where William is a professor.
Both Lopez and William agreed with enthusiasm that they enjoy playing alongside each other.
“There’s some magic that happens. There are only four flute players that I can play with because it’s a dance,” Lopez said.
Accompanying Lopez and William was Angela Moisa. Mosia played the drums, including an ocean drum, and the singing bowl. Her base rhythm helped keep the flutists on track as they moved through each song.
Lopez shared a little history regarding the ocean drum. This type of drum is meant to mimic the sounds of ocean water bringing the tides in and out and the crashing waves. When this instrument was first created it was made with giant turtle shells with some sort of beans or beads put inside to get the same effect.
Miosa is also a master Reiki and includes sound in her practice of healing. She is able to use the singing bowl to create anything from a soft ring to an echoing-roar of a ring.
“This sound has the ability to change the brain waves and puts you in a different state of mind. When you’re in these states it promotes healing,” Moisa said.
Throughout the concert, Lopez explained the process of making a traditional Native American flute. According to Lopez, one of the most important aspects of flute making is the state of mind during the process.
Lopez believes that one must be in a good spirit and good energy to craft something so beautiful. If negative thoughts are flowing during the weeks it takes to make this instrument, then it will sound poor and be out of key.
“If you go to the water and say positive words, the crystals that emerge from the water will be beautiful. But, if you go to the water and say something raunchy, then some sort of ugly crystal will be made from the water,” Lopez said.
On average, Lopez says it takes two to four weeks to complete a single flute.
Lopez continues to play music simply because “It makes me feel good.”