Peter Phippen - World Flutes Performing/Recording Artist

Interviews/Promo

Voices and Visions

YOUR MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS?

I have many musical inspirations. The wind in the trees is a good place to start, along with the music the earth is already playing. At this time in my life, I prefer gentle melodic sounds played on Shakuhachi, antique Native American flutes, bamboo flutes of all kinds, harp, zither, lute and classical guitar. But also I am inspired by aggressive primal music created by the human voice or traditional percussion and wind instruments from around the world. Early American "roots" music has also always held my interest. This, of course, covers many styles, but I feel one must keep an open ear and mind, be willing and receptive to "happen" upon something fresh that will enhance one's music. I enjoy allowing music to emerge naturally with no preconceived assumptions or ego.

FAVORITE CD'S, MUSICIANS?

There are so many, but here are a few:

Terje Rypdal from Norway has had a big influence on me...space music with jazz overtones. I'll never forget the first time I listened to "Waves" back in the mid 1970's. For me it was a real eye opener. Anyone out there have a copy of "After the Rain"? I wore out three copies and can't seem to find another.
Keith Jarrett - "Spirits" - Aside from the improvised primal music, the liner notes of this recording became a musical Bible to me. I still go back and take a long listen and look from time to time. Quotes like"Musicians can and do fool themselves everyday when they say they are 'making music'. They mean they are playing their instrument very well. This can be done by computers. What computers cannot deal with is value-meaning." These liner notes have had quite an impact on how I approach my music. If I can get my point across with one note or phrase, good.
Kohachiro Miyata - "Japan Shakuhachi, the Japanese Flute"...Wow!
Glen Velez - "Seven Heaven" with Steve Gorn and Layne Redmond. This recording shows the incredible art of pure teamwork and discipline.
Tex Williams and his Western Caravan - "Vintage Collections" (circa 1946) Another recording that shows off teamwork and discipline. These guys took no prisoners! American Country/Texas Swing/Jazz played like a machine gun. Hot licks a plenty...these boys were tight. They don't make bands like this anymore where every player was a monster! My parents had the 78 record of "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)". I used to play it to death when I was a kid. I'm glad it's out on CD, and I listen to this recording quite often.
R. Carlos Nakai - "Earth Spirit". I like all of Mr. Nakai's recordings. This one, however, is a strong lesson in melodic minimalism. In my opinion, it's a must have.
Coyote Oldman - "Rainbird/Return of the Anasazi Flute". It takes guts to do something no one has done before, and this is it. Michael Graham Allen (Coyote Oldman) researched the ancient American flutes, measuring them, recreating them, while teaching himself how to play them, all at the same time. The Anasazi flute is a bit like the Nay or Shakuhachi, yet it is unlike either one...a lost instrument from the Southwestern United States for thousands of years. In this recording we hear it again for the first time since it was lost to us. This CD is a ground breaker.
Laurie Anderson - "Mister Heartbreak"...true performance art music for art's sake. Need I say more?

HAS MUSIC HELPED YOU THRU A DIFFICULT TIME IN YOUR LIFE?

Always. They say a writer writes what he or she knows. I believe a musician plays what he or she is feeling at any given moment. When bad things happen to you and you play those feelings by expressing them through your music, well, it's just plain common sense that you will feel better after you let it go. Kind of like having a good cry. The process may have to be repeated, but over time if you are one of the lucky ones, you will feel better, even if only for a while. Memories are bittersweet.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HEALING AND MUSIC

I believe that sound can heal and I make music all the time to make myself feel better. I play long low tones on one of my Shakuhachi flutes, a bass Bansuri or sometimes on a long deep sounding overtone gourd flute from Nigeria with only five tones. I close my eyes, quiet my mind and let the flute play itself. I just listen. After a time I feel better. I can't imagine why it would not do the same for someone else, performer or listener. Sound is a powerful tool, and human beings have known this to be true for centuries. Sound has the power to breed fear or relief. I have seen music being used more frequently lately in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions for relief. This is a good trend and I can only hope it continues to grow.

Peter Phippen is an innovative performer of ethnic flutes from around the world. Researching the performance technique and history of his vast collection of anthropological wind instruments ultimately led him to bring this knowledge to concert stages and schools. Since 1993, Phippen has performed concerts, workshops, artist residencies and assembly programs across the country that are both educational and entertaining - an enchanting mix of the very old and very new in music.

As a recording artist for Canyon Records, Phippen has released three CDs of original music. "Book of Dreams" (1996, CR-7031) was named #17 among the top national albums in the New Age Voice Magazine."Echoes of the Past" (1999, CR-7032) was a finalist in the Crossroads Music Awards for 2000. In January 2003, Phippen released "Night Song" his third recording for Canyon Records. Aptly named, its spare, haunting melodies, evoke dreamscape images of fading twilight and gentle slumber under a full moon. Phippen's recordings have received airplay on "Sacred World Music," "Atmospheres," "Music Choice," "Digital Music Express" and Public Radio International's syndicated show "Echoes." Phippen's song "Masked Dance" was chosen for the compilation CD "Songs of the Spirit, Vol. 2" released by Trilonka Records.

Experience Peter Phippen's timeless world of sound images through concerts, workshops, lectures, assembly programs and residencies. His educational and entertaining program covers the folklore and history of flutes from around the world and throughout time.