It is possible for all flute players to have an instrument which:

• made of well-proven tonewood
• has a traditional conical bore
• speaks easily, with strong low D
• has correct intonation
• can keep up in a session
• is aesthetically attractive
• is reasonably priced

What it is and how to get one

The Folk Flute is a three-piece wooden flute for playing traditional music: nothing more, but nothing less! Crafted individually by hand in America from European Boxwood, Mopane or African Blackwood by an artisan flute maker, each Folk Flute is unique and will only gain character and depth of tone with age--as will all traditional wooden flutes. It is designed for:

• beginning and intermediate wooden flute players
• beginning Irish music players
• whistle players getting a "first flute"
• younger flute players
• experienced players with limited budgets
• experienced players who want a fine instrument for travel
• players who want a great instrument with a proven track record

The Folk Flute is the Best Choice for beginning players, period. The Folk Flute features the same accoustical design as my more expensive Standard Model Flutes, voiced and tuned with the same degree of care and attention, using exactly the same reamers and processes. It plays as well as my more expensive models! Available in European Boxwood, Mopane or African Blackwood, right or left handed, Ergonomic Standard and Small-Handed versions, Standard and Small Handed Straight Line versions.

"It plays beautifully: intonation is excellent, response is really good, the tone is wonderful, and it is very comfortable to play. I give it two thumbs up." Grey Larsen, noted Irish flute player and author of The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle

Is the Folk Flute is an appropriate choice for me? Beginning traditional flute players want an easy to play and maintain instrument that they can grow with. The Folk Flute fits these requirements well. Intermediate players want an instrument that has a good tone and quick response that will hold up well in sessions. My more expensive flutes (many without all the acoutrements such as tuning slides and keys) are widely used in sessions. The Folk Flute is acoustically identical - and thus works well for sessions. The player is not limited by this instrument.

I am considering keys or a tuning slide later on. Should I get one of the other models? The Folk Flute is a good reference point even for those unsure about these extra options. Many of my Folk Flute clients decide eventually that they want a flute with all the bells and whistles from me or one of my contemporaries, many of which who make fantastic instruments. Once in hand, some have reported keeping their Folk Flute as a handy traveling instrument, or a comfortable and familiar fallback when they just can't cope with the new keywork. Others have reported quickly selling their Folk Flute to a new owner - commonly for the same price as the purchase price.

Is the Folk Flute tuneable? I make the Folk Flute with a 32-33mm long headjoint tenon, which allows for some adjustment for when tuning to other players. The headjoint can be pulled out or rolled inward to flatten it as needed. Since most everyone plays at A-440Hz only a small range of tuning adjustment is needed. The range is similar to that found on wooden recorders.

What doesn't come with the Folk Flute: end cap, rings, tuning slide, keys and retrofit capabilities. Leaving out these options allows me to quickly make these flutes available with quick delivery times - for a price most can afford. A simple cloth case is now provided.

What wood should I choose? I first made these in a 2 piece version in Mopane. Then as a 3 piece version in Boxwood, as there wa s a shortage of aged Mopane and I had none ready for flute production until this fall. It now makes sense for me to offer these Folk Flutes in all of the woods I use, imcluding Arican Blackwood. In all three cases I am not using the highest quality cuts - saving the premium stuff for my more expensive flutes. Sometimes however, it is hard to tell that this isn't premium quality wood! The blackwood I set aside for some 200 flutes is particularly stunning in its quality! You will end up with an excellent and well playing instrument that will last longer than your lifetime. Frankly, choose any of these woods! They are all very good!!!! Or let me choose for you. For more discussion on these 3 woods, go to my Wood Description Page. If you live in a dry climate, Blackwood is probably your best choice.

Not the highest quality cuts? Industry-wide, instrument makers are finding it increasingly difficult or impossible to get premium quality wood for flute making. My attitude is to use all available to me even if it means that there are filled knots, bark inclusions, insect holes etc. in the resulting instruments. I draw the line when such defects cause structural concerns such as at sockets, could promote a crack, or somehow cause the instrument to fall apart and fail. I do what I can to cut around these flaws but if a piece of flute wood will make a decent flute that stays together I will use it irregardless of what cosmetic horrors may be present. Boxwood is particularly challenging with frequent knots. This is the best utilization of the resource! If your aesthetics demand a flute free or almost of such defects, order one of my more expensive Standard Flutes starting at $600, not the Folk Flute!

How to select your wood type.... The "Wood Choice" buttons are up and running - simply order your flute with the current "Buy it Now" Buttons below and click on your wood choice. Email me for any other parameters (such as straight in line or my "ergonomic" biased tone holes, left handed versions, etc).

Boxwood versus Mopane versus Blackwood: All woods warp to some degree - even blackwood. Boxwood is the worse culprit but it also is heat treatable, which I do to it. Not so with the other woods. The blackwood I have is pretty, and bone dry. The Mopane is prettier but wetter which sometimes can delay a delivery. Last Spring I roughed a bunch of Mopane wood for Fall flute orders and have enough for Winter flute orders. Its good if it sits around pilot bored for 6 months or more. If you live in a very dry climate I would choose the blackwood over the other two. If you want the lightest weight flute (this has certain ergonomic advantages for some) choose Boxwood. If you have additional questions about the wood choices, please email me.

Other considerations: If you want your flute "tweaked" and custom fitted to your hands etc., order one of my more expensive flute models. The Folk Flute is designed to be an acceptable model within the range and preferences of most players. At this point I have shipped over 500 of these and the feedback has been mostly favorable.

Price: $375.00.

Domestic (US) Shipping: $14. I ship via USPS Priority Mail, insured at full value.
International Shipping: $33. I insure and document your shipment at full value. Any duty or sales tax (VAT/TVA) is your responsibility. Consult your local authorities. Delays in Customs processing are not my responsibility. If an invoice is needed for accelerating such processing let me know or simply use the email acknowledgement generated automatically by PayPal. Your flute will be shipped by International Priority Mail. The shipping amount varies per destination but averages out so I am charging the same amount for everyone outside the US.

Buy the Folk Flute together with Grey Larsen's Essential Guide: For convenience, you may order a Folk Flute together with Grey Larsen's book, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle.

Price: $414.95
Domestic (US) Shipping: $15. I ship via USPS Priority Mail, insured at full value.
International Shipping: $40. I insure and document your shipment at full value. Any duty or sales tax (VAT/TVA) is your responsibility - consult your local authorities. I frequently get asked if I can mark your package as a "gift" so you can possibly avoid paying VAT. I cannot do this!

More Details...

International customers: Please use the International Customer "Buy Now" buttons above for your purchase. If you have questions or problems completing your international order, please e-mail me. All transactions are in US Dollars.

If you do not wish to purchase with PayPal or Credit Card: Please e-mail me with your purchase request to arrange payment details. For US Customers I accept personal checks and money orders; For International Orders, I accept only secured payment methods in US Dollars. Orders will ship after funds are verified.

All sales are final. Customization, servicing, tweaking and repairs if any will be considered on a case by case basis. You will receive an automatically generated acknowledgement of your order. Please refer to this website for delivery updates, which are updated weekly, instead of contacting me. This allows me to concentrate on the flutes, not answering email. By ordering, you agree to these terms.