Again, I have no direct connection with Robert other than he keeps sending me nice flutes to try.
Over the past couple of weeks Robert had sent me one of his inline 8-hole PVC flutes to try, and today a prototype of an 8-hole PVC flute with a 3-piece body that allows independent rotation of the right and left hand sections for maximum playing comfort. This is my dream PVC flute, very light, comfortable in the hand, with a huge bottom octave. Robert also provided a very nice handmade bag for the instrument.
I’m quite impressed with this flute, its hard to believe one could turn a simple piece of pipe into such a nice instrument, and I very much hope that he makes this model available to the public. I wish a flute like this had been available when I started playing the Irish flute, and would happily recommend it to anyone who wants a amazingly reasonably priced flute for traditional music, without the weight of resin flutes or concern about cracking on wooden flutes.
About the only thing one has to be aware of, and would be true I think of any cylindrical bore flute, is that you have to be concious of playing the top notes of the second octave into tune.
I posted a recording of a slow air to see what might be possible with the instrument with a bit of reverb…
He’s currently selling the non-tuneable one piece versions for $34.95 on eBay, the two piece tuneable for $49.95, and I hope he makes this version available as well for a little more.
I also have one of Robert’s flutes. The 8 hole version with offset finger holes in gray PVC. The gray is very nice, by the way…
This is my first full-sized flute (I had an Olwell Bb bamboo) and I had a lot of trouble with the finger stretch at first, but now I’ve about adjusted to it, and I think I DO like the offset holes.
While I don’t have much to compare it to, I really like this flute. It’s much easier to play than by Bb bamboo flute was and it sounds really full and rich, and is pretty loud.
With this three piece flute, Robert really has delivered what I think is a very good alternative to many of the lower-priced plastic flutes and student model wooden flutes. Having rather large holes, it plays more like a Pratten style flute. The tuning slide and center joint allows one to find a embrochure and finger hole position most comfortable for the individual player. He’s also polished it up to a smooth glossy finish, with very nice detail work on the finger holes.
Robert tells me now that he does plan to make this style instrument available as an option for a bit more than his standard 2-piece instruments, that is very good news indeed! I think he should charge more than he does.
