Chris Norman Flutes

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jim stone
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Chris Norman Flutes

Post by jim stone »

I had heard CN was making flutes. Just found his flute-maker's website.
They look lovely, but flutes virtually always do in pictures.
If these are half as good as the musician
who makes them, they are exceptional. I wonder if anybody here has seen/played/
heard them, and, if so, how they struck you. He seems to be inclined toward
Rudally Irish flutes (no surprise), along with renaissance, baroque and so on.

http://chrisnorman.com/flutes-made
Clinton
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by Clinton »

It is my understanding that Chris Norman has been working under Rod Cameron and has (or is perhaps in the process of) taking over his flute making.

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jim stone
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by jim stone »

That's very interesting. I know RC made Chris N's second flute.
More options in small holed rudally flutes would be welcome.
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by busterbill »

Does anyone else remember a video of Chris Norman and someone else playing his flutes in his workshop? I think I may have had something like this fly through my Facebook feed a few years ago. But my memory is fuzzy on this one.
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by csoroz »

busterbill wrote:Does anyone else remember a video of Chris Norman and someone else playing his flutes in his workshop? I think I may have had something like this fly through my Facebook feed a few years ago. But my memory is fuzzy on this one.
Could be this one: https://vimeo.com/113427691
(discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=103448)
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by csoroz »

Occasionally I meet someone who plays one of Chris Norman's flutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny8DRiHwlJo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S94Nm5Nn-2A
I haven't tried it myself, though.
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by Ben Shaffer »

Quick question, is Chris making the Flutes himself or having another maker make them and he then puts his name to the Flutes?
I've never seen or heard about these Flutes in the 25 plus years I've been playing.
With his Performance schedule, you would wonder how he has time to make these exquisite Flutes.
just asking.. :-? .
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by jim stone »

FWIW, I believe the flutes are a recent development, over the last several years.
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by Loren »

As mentioned earlier in the thread, Chris learned the craft from Rod Cameron and makes the flutes himself, in his own workshop. As for having the time, I doubt he’s on the road 40+ weeks per year.....
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by Loren »

I recall reading an article about Chris Norman’s flute making, I think it was at least 2 years ago, and at that point I seem to recall he’d been at it for between 5-8 years already. I could be wrong, but anyone sufficiently motivated should be able to find the article with a google search.
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by chas »

Here's a video that shows him in his workshop:

https://vimeo.com/113427691
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jim stone
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by jim stone »

And here he is playing a flute, I don't know whose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlhwLLQOn88
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by csoroz »

jim stone wrote:And here he is playing a flute, I don't know whose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlhwLLQOn88
Some clue here? https://vimeo.com/228890620
Is it like the ones in his workshop, and this one?
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by John Driscoll »

Well, curiosity got the best of me. (Curse you, Jim! :lol: )I messaged Chris for a pricing sheet...next thing you know, he's sending me two keyless, slideless all-wood flutes for trial. Both Rudall types, one blackwood, one boxwood.

I currently have a McGee Rudall perfected, blackwood with an unlined head, and a rosewood Sweetheart Resonance for comparison. I also used to have an Olwell Pratten style, with a lined head.

I'll post my remarks (for what they're worth) here in a few weeks when I've had a chance to try them out.
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Re: Chris Norman Flutes

Post by Jayhawk »

Please do John! What's an 8 keyer cost?

Eric
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