# Doyle Flute **URL:** \ **Category:** Irish Flute\ **Created:** [March 13, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510 "2011-03-13T13:34:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![plunk111](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/plunk111/32/1423_2.png) [@plunk111](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/plunk111)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/1 "2011-03-13T13:34:21Z")
Had an opportunity to try out a couple of Martin Doyle’s flutes on a trip to Ireland (thanks Skip in Doolin!) and was wondering about other folks’ opinions… Specifically, I’m interested in opinions of the “un-tuning-slided” versions. Skip told me that Martin makes them to be played with the tenon all the way in. When I played it that way, it was VERY nice! The problem was that I couldn’t get exactly on pitch without more rollout than I’m used to. Also, when the tenon was extended slightly, the tone went downhill dramatically. I’ve seen a couple of threads about cracking in his tuning-slided model… My questions: anyone out there playing a Doyle? How do you like it? Is it with or without a tuning slide? The sound from this beast is incredible, btw… Pat ---
**Author:** ![Julia\_Delaney](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/julia_delaney/32/1596_2.png) [@Julia\_Delaney](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Julia_Delaney)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/2 "2011-03-13T14:50:54Z")
I love Martin Doyle’s flutes. I have had several. They can be played well in tune without a slide. Your embouchure will develop as you bond with the flute. I can’t imagine why you ha a problem with roll-out, since the head is not fixed to the body of the flute. If properly looked after, a head-joint with a metal tube in it will not crack. There are 200 year-old flutes, with tuning slides, that have not cracked. Here is Martin playing a flute without a slide: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEC52\_O0vU](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEC52_O0vU) ---
**Author:** ![Unseen122](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/unseen122/32/6588_2.png) [@Unseen122](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/Unseen122)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/3 "2011-03-13T15:55:33Z")
I played a keyless slideless Doyle for the past four years until I recently got a keyed flute of another make. I love the Doyle flutes and I didn’t really have much of a problem with tuning, there are all sorts of adjustments to be done without a slide. My own view is the myth that one needs a tuning slide is untrue, they may be nice to have but are not essential in fact one gets a better understanding of adjusting tuning from their own playing rather than relying on the instrument to adjust for you. They are great flutes very easy to fill with a big full tone and quick response. Yes, the flute in my avatar is the Doyle which I still have as a spare just in case. ---
**Author:** ![planxtydt](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@planxtydt](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/planxtydt)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/4 "2011-03-13T16:14:28Z")
I’m a big fan of Martin’s all wood flutes. I played one in blackwood for a couple of years in a session and never had any tuning problems. These flutes also have one of the easiest, strongest low Ds of any flute I’ve owned. I like the simple, minimalist design and the ease of carrying in the snazzy case he provides. ---
**Author:** ![piano22](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@piano22](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/piano22)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 10:43am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/5 "2011-04-19T10:43:33Z")
I play a Doyle flute and I love it. It’s so easy to play and I never have problems with tuning 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![talasiga](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/talasiga/32/628_2.png) [@talasiga](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/talasiga)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 11:11am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/6 "2011-04-19T11:11:35Z")
[http://www.martindoyleflutes.com/](http://www.martindoyleflutes.com/) ---
**Author:** ![plunk111](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/plunk111/32/1423_2.png) [@plunk111](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/plunk111)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/7 "2011-04-19T11:42:06Z")
I should finish the story, I suppose… I bought one from Doc Jones (Irish Flute Store). It’s a blackwood keyless. It plays perfectly in tune for me with the headjoint all the way “in” and has an even better sound (if possible) than the ones I tried in Ireland. It is now my session flute. (Still love my Hall with the Gallagher head, though). ---
**Author:** ![JS1](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.chiffandfipple.com/js1/32/815_2.png) [@JS1](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/JS1)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/8 "2011-04-19T14:26:52Z")
Congrats on the new flute! The links on Martin Doyle’s site lead to some very enjoyable listening: [http://www.martindoyleflutes.com/music.html](http://www.martindoyleflutes.com/music.html) ---
**Author:** ![margaretr](https://chiffandfipplewww.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@margaretr](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/u/margaretr)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://www.chiffandfipple.com/t/doyle-flute/75510/9 "2011-04-20T15:53:14Z")
Let me add my kudos for Martin’s flutes! I play a standard keyless (no tuning slide) in cocus and LOVE it! The tone is amazing!