I have just returned from my trip to the Wilkes workshop. Even he agreed that the Sweet played quite well, after the last one he tried. He had thaught they were a lot dearer. Luck of the draw, I suppose.
I agree about the mopane Casey Burns. It’s a good flute. A small-handed version is still a good flute. Although it’s fine just as it is, it still allows room to grow. Should you decide to sell it, you can do so fairly easily, either here or on E-Bay.
Mr. Burns is wonderful to work with. Just talk to him about it–he’ll make helpful suggestions. He made my small-handed flute after only email discussions about my needs, and it felt “natural” from the first moment I picked it up.
I’m almost 18(well,my birthday’s in April) and a former silver flute player,and I also agree about the Casey Burns mopane! I love mine! It’s a great flute for me,and everone who’s played it (including Kevin Crawford!) has liked it and had good things to say about it. Mine’s got a tuning slide and an Eb key,but that costs more.You could always have things like that added later.
-Kelly
I play in a family band with my 13 kids…fiddles, guitars, mandos concertinas etc… I’ve never needed a tuning slide with my Burns as the tenon is plenty long enough. My advice would be to get a slideless flute first and see if it works for you. If it doesn’t (some players just plain play a bit flat or sharp) you can have Casey add a slide later.
Just my two bits. 
Doc
Something about making 300 paper flowers for a pep ralley for tomorrow
.<
So far I have been leaning towards the Casey Burns Mopane…
For price, hand size, and the fact that I will be able to add things on later.
I was on the Casey Burns site, and they said anyone under the 7.5 inch span should consider a small handed flute… measured my hand, I got 6 inches…
There are a couple of other suggestions that i need to take into consideration, but I am well on my way. 
Thanks to all who have helped and gave great advice, I will be sure to keep you all updated on the status.
Aaron, you asked about University, Both schools that I applied are state schools in pennsylvania, as price dictated. I have already gotten accepted to Bloomsburg, and I am waiting for a reply from the other school.
THere aren’t many Irish Musicians that I have seen around this area. Most of the artists that come to the Celtic Festival are from surrounding states. If anyone knows of any giving lessons, would be worth a look.
Thank you all very much for the information, you are all amazing
::mwah::
Amber
I looked up Bloomsburg… that is in the middle of nowhere, eh? 
I think I might retract my comment about finding a teacher but, hey, stranger things have happened. You could very well find one in that neck of the woods.
Cheers,
Aaron
Pennsylvania is great… you can go from cities, to absolutly nothing, to amishland within minutes
The other school is a closer to philly, but I am not sure if I am accepted yet…
Yay for PA… hah
Hello all,
I’ve mentioned Martin Doyle’s flutes in a few other posts, I think they’re ideal beginners flutes easy to fill and have a good loud sound.. Get one with a tuning slide if you can. And they’re cheap too.. I hadn’t played flute for about ten years and started again on one of these and it was fantastic. I think that it’s very important to start on a flute that’s easy to play so you don’t get disheartened and give up..You wouldn’t learn to drive in a formula one car, so why learn to play on a top class, hard to fill, wide bore, big holed flute.
Anyway that’s my six cents worth hope it helps.
ps I had a Ganely flute a long time ago… I wouldn’t recommend it.
Martin does make a very nice flute. I had one for years and thought it top-rate.
A Doyle with a tuning slide will be outside of your price range. Mine didn’t have a tuning slide and I never felt like I needed one YMMV.
With six-inch hands I’d still recommend the Burns.
Doc
I ditto everyone. I currently own an M&E and it is my workhorse. I have played several Casey Burns flutes and several Martin Doyle flutes and both are quite amazing. With small fingers, Casey Burns is the way to go as he has the small hands flute and an ergonomic flute–a real joy to play.
Catherine McEvoy’s son plays a Doyle and won the All-Ireland in his age group. If you check the Ceilí House archives you can hear him tear up the Colonel… Frazer that is.
Cheers,
Aaron
Thank you, everyone, for the great discussion on this thread. I’m a whistle player lusting after flutes, and hearing so many echo what Jim Stone has told me gives me a really solid base for considering a Casey Burns flute.
And, Tenlilratsies, I was a music major at the other school near Philadelphia. Seems like (maybe because it was!) a looong time ago. Some great memories. Hope you get accepted.
Folks recommending Casey’s flutes: the hand comfort is a big issue for me, but I’m also curious about whether the holes seem large enough for slides and half-holing. Just how useful do you consider the keys, and which ones?
Jennie
Jennie,
I’m able to do slides and half-holing (for example, to get an F-natural) on my Burns keyless Rudall-model. I’d be interested to hear others’ experiences, though, too.
Jeanie
Jennie,
I own a Ruddall By Casey and have also spent good quality time with his “Ergonomic standard”. I find the Burns flutes very easy to cross-finger and half hole. My boxwood Rudall is at Casey’s shop right now getting two keys, an Eb (which is impossible tio half hole on a flute) and a long F (Casey, if your reading this…get back to work ).
I can half hole F nat and it usually sounds quite nice but it takes a bit of finesse and I’m lazy. Bb cross-fingers well with XOXXXX and G# is good with XXOXXX. Cnat is perfect with OXOXXX.
I find sliding on flutes no where near as natural or smooth as on a whistle.
Patrick
I’ve learned that half-holing doesn’t take much more than rocking your finger-pad up a bit. I think Casey designs his flutes with more cross-fingering in mind like Baroque flutes.
Cheers,
Aaron
Jennie,
I knew when you bought that Overton whistle that you were on your way to the hard stuff.
Get help now! Otherwise you’ll find yourself sitting on a curb someday…busking!
Doc