25 INDIGENOUS AMERICANS
The term Native American usually means an Indian of the US or Canada. These instruments come from Americans indigenous to all of North and South America. By Northern America I mean the US and Canada. By Central America I mean Mexico and countries south to and including Panama. Southern America refers to the South American continent south of Panama.
This flute is an instrument of Northern America.
Northern American Indians had few musical instruments. The flute was the only one able to play a melody. There were drums and rattles and wooden clappers.
The most expressive instrument was the human voice chanting.
The Mayan were peoples indigenous to Mexico and Central America. The musical instruments were limited. Here is a drum and rattle selection.
Several examples of Mexican instruments.
The guitarron is a large bass guitar of Mexico. The pan flute has a longer history.