Part of Nakai's philosophy is to ensure that the native flute does not become a "museum piece" of a bygone culture. Through his original compositions and other musical collaborations, Nakai intends to show the instrument's versatility and capabilities.

A native Arizonan, Nakai's southwestern surroundings as well as his culture, heavily influence his work. He points out that "A lot of what I've been taught culturally, comes from an awareness of the environment. ...How I feel is based on my impressions of being in certain spaces at certain times. Thinking back...on personal tribal stories and the history of my culture figures into how I organize my music."