Who would have thought it?! A section of WATER PIPE is a musical instrument?!! They sell this stuff at Lowe’s and other home improvement centers. But get Robert to work a joint over, and you’ve got a really nifty introduction to the Irish flute!!!
Since I got mine, I’ve been having a ball learning ITM with the flute (and whistle, too). Now that I have an instructor to go along with my flute, I’m in hog heaven!
Will I get something more… sophisticated, prettier, fancier…? Of course I’ll get a blackwood flute sometime in the future, but for now, my Tipple is just the ticket for learning, and then after I get the blackwood instrument, I can take my Tipple with me out to the James River campsite and play it without fear of damaging an expensive wooden instrument. Not to mention the curiosity factor of a real, live plastic music-maker.
Anyway, if you’re looking for a neat starter flute, see his website and give him a try.
With best regards to all.
Steve Mack
Steve, thanks for the kind comments about my pvc flutes. I agree that for most people serious about ITM, my flutes are starter flutes or an easy flute to carry when a more expensive, wooden flute might be damaged.
However, my flutes can also be seen as performance instruments. For example, I am currently making a low C# flute for the flute player in the upcoming Broadway musical “Tarzan”. He hopes to play it for the tune, “Leaving Home”. First rehersal is on Mar. 11, so I have to get busy. I am rather excited about my flute being played on Broadway.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/93800.html
AHHHHEEEEAAAAHHHH…
Congratulations Doug!
I might say its an apt occasion to do a little “chest-thumping” yourself ! 
\
I was swingin’ thru’ the trees, with my Tipple by my side,
When on a passing Tiger I had dropped astride.
“Mr. Tiger, if you please, put that bouran on your knees,
for I’d rather have a tune than wind up inside”
And even though it looks like a simple instrument, like all simple items that do their job very, very well, I’m sure my Tipple will be challenging me for years to come as I try to get the most out of it. Simple can also mean very sopisticated, in the same way that ‘less is more’. And its very simplicity is a very good reason to get one not only for a starter, as I have, but as a user, for each flute has its own voice, and I agree that it’s up to the musician to get the best out of what ever you are playing.
With best regards to all,
Steve Mack
I have moved on to other flutes but I still get my Tipple out probably once a week or so. I find it is helpful to playa different instrument every so often and I still like the sound I can get out of it. I don’t go camping but I will take it to the shore this summer!