The Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used in a variety of new age and traditional music recordings. The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it is played solo, with other instruments or vocals, or with backing tracks. The flute has been used in Native American music, as well as other genres. There are two different types of Native American flute, the plains flute and the woodlands flute, each with slightly different construction.