Welcome to our FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. We'll try to answer all your flute-related questions to build a good database for the ones who need...Good idea no ?...So please select a category, and if the answer is not here yet , ask us with an email: Question...
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What kind of finish do you use on your flutes ?
It depends of the humor and the maker...But always using natural products. First we oil our flutes inside and outside , to feed the wood and give the flute moisture protection (on the especially hard woods, we use an harder finish)...After, if we want a clean , slighty glossy finish , we use three or four coats of shellac , and a blend of waxs to finish. If we want a more natural look , giving the wood' spirit more freedom , we just use a blend of waxs.
What is the difference between a "woodlands style" and a "plains style" flute ?
A "woodlands style" flute, among other things, is built with the flue (the little channel connecting the two sound holes) in its own body.
A "plains style" flute has the flue carved on the totem bottom. Sometimes, this kind of flute may have the flue replaced by a spacer (a flat piece of copper, wood or any other material, with a rectangular hole in the center), and usually we call this the "Lakota style"
Another style , very rare, used by one of our flutemakers called the "ozark style" uses a flue carved half in the body, half in the totem.
What are the tunings holes (also called direction holes) ?
They are made to shorten the length of the flute, by allowing the air to exit before the end of the flute.
They are used to make a higher key keeping the bore long, instead of cutting the flute to a shorter length.
They represent the different directions, or different winds.
What is the difference between a five hole and a six hole flute ?
If the flutes are tuned to the minor pentatonic scale (like most are), both flutes can play the mode 1:
- On a six hole flute, by keeping closed the fourth hole from the bottom...
- As for the five hole flute, the fourth hole doesn't exist...(avoiding confusion for the beginner)
But on the the six hole flute, because of the added hole, you can play the mode 4 also (by keeping closed the third hole from the bottom), if the maker desires.
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