Kudos to Eriktheflutemaker

Irish Flute
1

I just thought I’d put in a note about Eriktheflutemaker’s bamboo flutes. I just got (through the mail) his large Arabian model. I have to say, he does a great job. It’s a modal instrument, of course; when you play it you feel like you’re doing the soundtrack for a Learning Channel special on the pyramids. Fun to play, well-made, in tune with itself across two octaves.

And nice, thick-walled bamboo. I splurged and got the “Starry Night” decoration, which is quite cool. My other bamboo instrument is an Olwell low C, which is (of course) an excellent flute. But I’m actually pleased and surprised at how much fun this thing is.

I see on his site that he’s got plans for a low D flute. Anyone played any of his other models? This is $35 well spent!

http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com

Stuart

2

What scale does it play?

3

As soon as I go home today I’ll think about it.

There’s a sound sample on his web site, if you look at the link above.

4

I bought a D-maj bamboo flute from him this weekend at Scarborough Faire.

I like it so far, I wanted it to carry around RenFaire’s instead of my Seery when I didn’t feel like carrying the later.

So far I’ve not compare the tuning to an absolute scale, but it’s definitely good enough to carry around and play a tune.

5

Glad to see Erik is getting some well-deserved recognition.
I’ve been playing several of his bamboo flutes for years, including a way-cool (and unique) one he made in G-minor. Interesting to say the least!
Erik does terrific work (and his designs are cool, too!).
He’s one of the better kept secrets in bamboo flutes.

6

Jens wanted the scale:

If it were in D, it would be:

D-D#-F#-G-A-A#-C#-d

with a second octave. This is with the standard simple-system fingering.

Mine’s actually in E, at A=440, making it:

E-F-G#-A-B-C-D#-e

He’s GOT a low D model, standard-tuning, which is $35. I’ve ordered one and I’ll put up a post when I get it.

Stuart

7

So, the tuning’s the same as my second attempt at making an Arabian-sounding whistle. For fun, see the discussion at

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?topic=3756&forum=1&6

A bamboo flute in that tuning sounds cool though.

:slight_smile:
Jens