I was just playing some tunes on my Folk Flute today (I started with Christmas tunes in honor of the day, but finished up working through my favorite slow airs) - not “practicing”, but playing tunes as they came to mind - when it struck me how unbelievable it that would have seemed to me even 6 months ago. Though I’m a fair beginner-to-intermediate-level whistler, flute had always seemed like a big jump. And even if I’ve been flirting with flute for the last couple of years with a Dixon 2-piece, the success I had wasn’t too encouraging, either.
But when a Burns Folk Flute came up on this board at a decent price, I took the plunge, and I’m very glad I did. It’s unbelievably easy to get a good tone from compared to the Dixon, and the ergonomic design is much easier on my hands. Even if I’m still working on my embouchure, the quality of the sound and the overall responsiveness when I do get it right keeps me going during the times when I stumble. A beautiful piece of wood, too - I don’t know how Casey can afford to make and sell these at the price he does. But I certainly owe him thanks - otherwise, I might never have made the jump. I don’t know where the journey will take me, or how fast I’ll travel along the way, but at least I’m on the path.
It’s striking, frankly, how easy Casey’s flutes are to finger.
I can play tunes on them pretty easily that are barely
attainable for me on other flutes.
Though I’m a fair beginner-to-intermediate-level whistler, flute had always seemed like a big jump. And even if I’ve been flirting with flute for the last couple of years with a Dixon 2-piece, the success I had wasn’t too encouraging, either.
It’s not that big of a jump from low whistle to flute, if you get a decent instrument. Casey’s Folk Flutes are in a class by themselves, being one of the few affordable wooden flute options at a relatively low cost.
Yes, it is great of Casey to offer such an inexpensive alternative to the higher priced “pro model” wooden flutes. Many have expressed regret at selling their Folk Flute after upgrading to some higher priced model flute. The Sweetheart flutes are well thought of also at about the same price, or a little higher depending on the wood.
Much like Doug Tipple’s PVC flutes-amazing flutes for the money too, but in PVC. Leaps and bounds ahead of the Dixon 2 piece, in my and many others opinion. And, that’s the key for a beginner on flute-to avoid getting a sub-par instrument that only brings frustration, like the Ebay Pakastani flutes. I tried one, with a guaranteed full money back refund-and good it did, because I couldn’t get a note out of it!
Your lips won’t always work the way you want them to, learning embouchure control, and they will tire easily (when you just lose your ability to play after you’ve been playing a bit) but your flute shouldn’t hold you back on top of that by making it harder because it’s not up to par.
Congrats on your progress with the Folk Flute! Have fun-and enjoy your time spent with it-hard to make that a chore!
When I got my first Wooden Flute I made a huge jump in my playing. As my Flute is not easy to play (round embochure) so I had to get up to that level and once I did my playing got better.
I too got a Casey Burns Folk Flute for christmas.. its like a dream, its truly beyond words.. i went from a sub-par but not god-awful paki ebay flute(i learned my lesson) to this and it feels like this flute sings with my soul. damn. thats all i can say.