Thompson, Shauna2019-05-162019-05-1620192019https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/25387Cultures throughout the world have frequently attributed supernatural powers to the flute in stories, myths, and folklore. While historical perceptions in the United States have long relegated it to a repertoire of bird song imitations, the flute, as presented in mythology, holds a much more powerful role. This research will answer questions such as: Why is the flute considered magical? What powers does the flute allegedly hold? Where does this magic originate? How might this change the story for the 21 st century flutist? How does knowledge of these accounts and stories change our perceptions and pedagogy of the flute? This analysis surveys ethnomusicological accounts, folklore, and mythology alongside current media trends, including music, television, film, and popular culture. The Supernatural Flutist Project provides a broad comparative analysis of powers from 208 collected stories. This cross-cultural research includes a list of these mythological flute powers, as well as a catalogue documenting the rich, diverse body of flute repertoire containing supernatural associations. This examination of the magic flute archetype provides valuable insights into ancient and modern human civilizations and psyches, creating a new angle of thought and awareness for modern flutists, musicians and scholars.Format: OnlineNo search engine accessText