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Introduction
The Second Voice flute series described here are based on the Native American (NA) instruments made traditionally by the indigenous peoples who once populated the plains, woodlands and remote areas of the Americas. However, the tradition of NAF flutemaking had diminished by the mid 20thC, to a point where the secrets and techniques for making these instruments were left to only a handful of master flute-makers and players, one of whom was Xavier Quijas Yxayotl. One of his apprentices, Guillermo Martinez, has since become a legend over the past twenty years in the flute-making, recording and performing world. His generosity in passing on this almost-lost knowledge through his gift for teaching, added to the invaluable help and inspiration of renowned concert and recording artists Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer, has led to the NA flute series, and a new English wood series, which I now design and make in England at Second Voice.
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All Second Voice flutes are hand-made using the finest woods from Britain, the US and around the world; many of the woods used are collected, hand-cut, laid down, dried and prepared in my own workshop. The NA series are made from traditional woods such as cedars (Western Red, Yellow, White Port Orford and the wonderfully dense and fragrant Eastern Red), Oak, Cherry and Maple. The English series use native hard and softwoods including Oak, Ash, Elm, Holly, Silver Birch, Yew, Alder, Pine and Rippled Sycamore, with some flutes made from intact branches complete with bark. The flutes are finished using oils and waxes to seal the wood and provide the required finish, in accordance with the demands likely to be placed on the instrument. Flutes can be plain (usually if the graining and patterning is exceptional) or decorated by pyrography (burning), painting and/or inlay work. The flutes can be voiced anywhere between mellow or buzzing, smooth or edgy, quiet or loud, as required, and using different blocks can give a single flute a wide tonal range. The most important thing, though, is that all SVF flutes respond to the gentlest breath, so you can relax fully while playing.
Most of the traditional NA series of Second Voice flutes are Woodlands-style (although the definition of this over Plains-style in terms of shape and design is far from exact) six-hole flutes tuned to Western pentatonic major or minor scales, except the Little Owl series of childrens’ flutes which are five-hole for ease of playing. The English Series comprise both 6 and 7 hole instruments and have a look, feel and sound to them which is very different to cedar flutes; their scale range is also fuller and very suited to the songs of this land. Unusual scalings are also easily accommodated, as are custom needs relating to any aspect of flute design or build. Almost all the flutes I now make are individually tailored to the player's own hand, a simple but vital thing to do for learners and professional players alike to make playing comfortable and easy.
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Making these easy-to-play, beautiful-sounding flutes is a deeply spiritual experience in itself. I claim no native American heritage or special wisdom, other than the nagging feeling that there is somewhere in me a barely-remembered path back to a previous life. Each flute I make is totally unique, and ALL Second Voice flutes are maker-marked, certificated and sequentially numbered. As a final acknowledgement of thanks to the spirits which guide the creation of each flute, and to honour the tree whose wood has given it life, each Second Voice flute is blessed using sage smoke (a traditional way of purifying space and elements) to celebrate the birth of a new voice in the world.
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I must also thank my Spirit Guides for giving me the inspiration to design and build this website. The images are compressed to speed loading but please be patient if you are on a slow internet connection - some pages may still take a little longer than normal. Almost all images can be enlarged into a new pop-up window by clicking on them. Please note: The copyright for ALL the images on this website is held by Second Voice Flutes.
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I hope you enjoy the site. The flute series themselves are described and shown on The Flutes pages, with prices at the bottom of each page. The Workshop pages give you a look at how I make the flutes, and might be of interest to those who make these beautiful instruments -they look so simple, but as any maker will tell you, it's a long, sometimes skilful, sometimes intuitive, often lucky, path to making one that sounds and feels just right! The Contact page gets us to talk, and if you want, buy (though there's no obligation at all). Finally, and most importantly, the Thanks and Links page honours the many people who have (and still do) help and inspire me on my path, some without even knowing it!
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The Owlhouse • Milford • Surrey • UK • dc@secondvoiceflutes.co.uk
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© Second Voice Flutes 2005-2008 |
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