SongVault Artist Profile

Native Slovak is a collection of solo flute songs that captures the purity of both Slovakian and Native American Style Courting Flutes. As a self taught musician David Martinka draws on nature, life and his inner self to create his songs. David Martinka’s Slovakian Courting Flutes are hand crafted especially for him with the help of Tomas Kovac who is in contact with the best flute makers in Slovakia. David also crafts a version of the Native American Style Courting Flute which are used on this recording. With a long family history of music and love for the Native American Flute, David Martinka is the first bridge to the courting, healing, and peaceful side of both the Native American Style Courting Flutes and the Native Slovakian Courting Flutes in this landmark recording Native Slovak!

The Fujaras and Koncovka that were used in the recording are over tone fipple flutes. Since there is little knowledge here in the USA about them people typically try to reference them to the didgeridoo. There are two main song styles of the Fujaras are Walachian and Rural. Walachian style of playing is to use the Fujara while shepherding sheep. The shepherd would us the Fujara to calm the sheep while they nibble grass and traveled the hill sides. The Rural style of playing is more done in the evenings at parties, gatherings or to serenade love songs to the women you love.

Both of these styles of playing were used on recording Native Slovak.