Native American Flutes
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Ok, I'm done. Got the bases covered, and I'm having fun. Plus, all the spaces are filled.
updated by @susie: 03/11/17 05:59:47AM
The next step after condor bass are the Drones. Though I recommend starting with the smaller holes as blowing into 2 chambers is quite the challenge and takes practice, the smaller one is a B minor made by a Canadian (Templewindflutes)and the large on Is a G# . It arrived 2 days ago all the way from Australia (MagicWoodworks)
Wow, those are beautiful Monica!
Actually, I have a double flute that my friend gave me that is the V type, in the key of F#. It was made by a fellow in Michigan and has wonderful intonation, tone and craftsmanship. She wasn't using it, so she generously gave it to me. It's been fun to mess around with.
My HS Em Condor Bass in Spanish Cedar arrives on Monday.
I went with cedar, because I have a mid-tone G in cedar, and I love its tone. I have a couple walnut flutes already.
Well, it arrived 3 days late, since the post office decided to send it on a wild journey to an incorrect post office (it was correctly addressed). It got about 650 extra miles on it, but finally arrived today. I love the flute, wood, and tone. Thanks for everyone's help. Happy camper!
I got an adjustable possum board from Jim VanderWoude at Evart. It fits all my dulcimers. I added rubber tubing to the posts and some additional felt in a couple spots to make sure the dulcimers don't get scratched. Very well made and thought out. It folds up too, for storage/travel.
Hi, how do they feel on your lap? Pro and cons? Jim lives close to me so would be convenient to buy from
Oh my, I just saw your question....sorry.
His possum boards are comfy on the lap. He also puts strap pins on it. The only thing is that the dulcimer sits a bit higher on your lap, but you can get used to that.
My first was a FolkRoots hourglass, spruce/walnut, purchased at Elderly Instruments. Beautiful tone and looked really nice. I have since purchased a FolkRoots with a shorter scale length that I have converted to a baritone and a Folkcraft Custom. Still loving their dulcimers.
My HS Em Condor Bass in Spanish Cedar arrives on Monday.
I went with cedar, because I have a mid-tone G in cedar, and I love its tone. I have a couple walnut flutes already.
John, I'm not considering the contra, just the condor bass Em. Just can't decide between the standard bore and the 1" bore. But, it sounds like the standard bore would be just fine for me. Do you guys have a standard bore condor (not contra) bass?
We have "regular" Condor basses in various keys (even the smaller bore size). Once you get used to the extra stretch beyond a smaller flute stretch it's really no big deal. Have fun and enjoy the process!
Thanks Monica! And also to Maria and John. Your insights really helped! Now I'll decide on timing. Gotta wait and see what's on sale in March.
Thanks Monica and John. Very nice videos.
John, I'm not considering the contra, just the condor bass Em. Just can't decide between the standard bore and the 1" bore. But, it sounds like the standard bore would be just fine for me. Do you guys have a standard bore condor (not contra) bass?
Monica, sounds like you are handling it without issue. Did you remeasure the outside diameter (1.2" didn't seem right to me)? Thanks.
Thanks Monica. That outside measurement (1.2") seems like the same as the outside measurement of those with the 1" bore......1.25". I'm talking the outside of the wood. Is it really 1.2" for the standard condor bass?
Thanks for the pics and info. Now I can't decide between the standard bore (will have to confirm measurements) and the 1" bore like Maria's.
Monica, what is the outside diameter of your HS bass flutes? I know it's 1 1/4" for the 1" bore flutes. Was curious how they compare. I'm tall, have pretty good size hands and have 43 years experience playing stringed instruments. So I'm thinking I could handle the bass flute size (even the non-1" bore). Sounds like you have no problem with the size. What woods are yours?
Thanks Maria. I'm thinking seriously about the 1" bore Em flute (walnut). I love the low tones and this would fit nicely into my mix.
Has anyone purchased a bass tone flute or more specifically, a HS 1" bore bass tone flute?
susie,
( all walnut Bob Lazenby dulcimer )
I notice in your photo, the dulcimer looks like it takes up the whole table, how long is the VSL? I saw on your page, you have a Folks Roots, is it one with the 29" VSL? Is it hard on the hand & thumb going that short distance from a 27.5 or 28 to a 29'ish?
Marg,
My Bob Lazenby is a 28.5" VSL. The FolkRoots is a 27" VSL. I don't have any problem going from one to the other, but I have large hands too (for a girl). The FolkRoots/Folkcraft dulcimers can be ordered with whatever VSL you want (within a range). Very easy to do with Folkcraft's website and ordering process. They are very accomodating. You can even give them a call. Hope this helps.
Congrats George. As I said in my earlier post, I'm quite impressed with my Bob Lazenby dulcimer. It really has a beautiful voice. Enjoy your new dulcimer!
I was gifted a beautiful, all walnut Bob Lazenby dulcimer this past summer. Excellent shape (was only played by a little old lady....really. Not much play from the looks of it.) I had my luthier do a complete set up on it and we are both quite impressed by it. Real nice tone and intonation. I love it. Mine is considered his "deluxe" model and is 10 years newer than that one in the eBay ad. It looks better (nicer wood, cleaner soundholes, etc.) and has Grover Sta-tite dulcimer tuners. So, maybe in those 10 years he refined his skills a bit.
I've got their single hard case. Real nice....it protects the flutes very well. I took the case and 3 flutes to Mackinac Island for the inaugural trip. Nice shoulder strap too for the hiking we did.
Blondie, I saw those. Looks like a great deal. I'm all set for now. Good luck, they should go quickly.
I ordered the high G in aromatic cedar as soon as I got the sale email from HS. Turns out, my sister also ordered a high F# in birch.
Yes, a lot less. The two were beautiful together. I have a mid-tone G, as well as my sister. I think for the price. I'll just have to get one.
I played my sister's HS pocket flute (G, in aromatic cedar). It was a really cool little flute with a nice voice. It sounded great with the G mid-tone. Now I want one.
Jennifer, very cute! How does it sound?
Monica, thanks, those bass flutes are intriguing, how does it play/sound?
Strumelia, thanks!
Monica, your flutes are beautiful!
Strumelia, with guitar as my main instrument (have 6), and next my dulcimers (have 6), I'm trying to be reasonable with the NAF's. So, 3 will do it for now. But you're right, never say never.
Lexie, here's a pic.
I got my HS mid-tone F# Golden Eagle NAF yesterday. Wow, what a beautiful tone. My husband even said "that's a really nice sounding Flute". The turquoise flair is really pretty with the walnut. I'm very happy with my third Flute. I think it will be my #1.
Susie, that's exciting! That sounds like a wonderful choice. Though I'm not yet ready for a second flute, I've been contemplating the F sharp, so the info you gave is valuable to me in my musings. When I get more comfortable with my A flute, I think I see an F sharp in my future.
Enjoy!
Thanks Jennifer, I'll posts my thoughts on it after I get it.
I ordered my 3rd (and likely final) Native American Flute today. A High Spirits F#m (Golden Eagle - midtone) in walnut with turquoise inlay. I wanted the F#m due to its popularity in having the traditional, haunting voice (adopted by the Native American community and their key of preference). Also, it is the key that corresponds to the notes on the staff (when you play an F# (as noted on the music staff), it is an F# that sounds). I also wanted to treat myself to one flute with a little flair, so I went with the turquoise inlay. It should look real nice with the walnut. This will be my deepest sounding flute. So, I'm pretty excited to get it.
Very pretty. Nice job!
Congrats Mark, nice job!
Yes, Arnold did retire. However, I just had my 1978 dulcimer in there and Joe Konkoly did the work....superb!! He's also the Repair Shop Manager. Like I said earlier, the guys in the repair shop are the ONLY ones who touch my instruments. Joe said he and a couple others are now doing the dulcimer work. A dulcimer really isn't that complicated compared the other work they do. They know their stuff. It does cost money, but sometimes a little investment will ensure the work is done right and will result in you bring a very happy camper rather than a frustrated one.
Just a thought, being you're so close to Elderly in Lansing. Given its age, the dulcimer may need more than bridge work. The nut and frets may also need work/adjustment. I recently took a 1978 dulcimer in for a complete set-up and it plays wonderfully now. I have been a customer of Elderly since 1974 and trust only them with any of my instruments. A little investment may be worth a lot, IMHO.