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Earth Spirit flutes
This series of flutes comprises the larger style, low-keyed NAFs made in red and yellow cedars or the lighter hardwoods such as oak, cherry and elm. They can be lathe-turned or hand-shaped, plain finished or decorated in any of the standard ways. The essence of these instruments, however, is to be relaxing to play, and produce deep haunting melodic sounds. Traditionally, bass flutes have often been side blown to help the fingering positions, and neede a lot of air blown through them. However, after a lot of development work on air flow systems and voice box design, all SVF bass flutes are now end blown and respond to very gentle breath, and have close, easy-to-play, playing holes, while retaining the rich resonant voice expected of such flutes.
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American Red Elm, low Bm with cherry mouthpiece; close finger holes, very responsive, and an unusual voicing system accentuating the sort of sound that only Elm flutes can give. Designed for recording. |
The flue channel and ramping system beneath the block is carefully designed to keep the notes stable (particularly the fundamental) and reduce the risk of 'breaking' to the higher octave. The use of tuning holes set well away from the bore end also help this. Furthermore, a double-angle fipple edge, a wide sound hole and a specialized block design are usually used to help prevent the notes from being too 'breathy', although that quality can be designed into the flutes if required. Where woods with an open pitted structure are used, the walls of the flute barrel are also left deliberately thicker than usual to help increase the depth of the resonance. Conversely, very dense woods can be used to make highly resonant thin-walled low-key flutes.
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Elm, low C#m; a very distinctive sounding flute, with a specially shaped voice box to enhance resonance, and give a very substantial yet balanced feel when held. Oak stylized bird block covers a deliberately short flue. |
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Western red cedar, low Bm; a plain but beautiful sounding flute with a simple turned mouth end. Despite its length, the flute is light and easy to handle. |
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The flutes can be finished with the minimum of oils and waxes, although the cedar flutes are usually given a multi-layer tougher protective coating as the wood can mark easily.
These flutes are available in keys from low A to D.
Please also see the Custom flutes page for a rather special low C sharp flute!....
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Please feel free to call or email if you would like any more details on the above flute range. Prices for Earth Spirit flutes start from £180 (inc. cloth case) plus shipping.
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The Owlhouse • Milford • Surrey • UK • dc@secondvoiceflutes.co.uk
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© Second Voice Flutes 2005-2008 |
