Here’s a review of the new Casey Burns beginner’s flute, which sells for 250 dollars. A couple of weeks ago I asked on the fluteboard if anybody could review it. Immediately Casey asked me to review it and sent me one to keep. I’ve checked my opinions with others, including an excellent flutist, to be sure that I’m uninfluenced by gratitude. My chief credential is that I’m as close to a beginner as someone could be who might write an informed review, having played flute for about a year. Also I own most of the other beginner’s flutes, including a Dixon three-piece polymer and a Sweetheart maple, both of which I like very well. I’m writing this review with beginners in mind.
The flute is made of mopane, which looks good and has a warm, rich, woody sound. The flute is made simply and in two pieces, with good craftsmanship throughout. It’s entirely made of wood,
except that the tenon is thread wrapped. It has the weight and heft of an expensive blackwood flute (it’s about as heavy as the Dixon), along with the look of something made well and simply of a brown wood with a flowing grain.
Two features are especially notable. First the flute sounds warm, full, and woody in both octaves, with good volume. It’s easy to play and it goes easily into the second octave. It’s well in tune. There is a strong low D. One can press on the flute, get a ‘dirty’ or ‘hard’ sound; it plays like an Irish flute. The sound compares favorably with anything in its price range.
Second, the finger spacing is significantly closer than on the Dixon and the Sweetheart, especially for the right hand. Beginners nervous about the hand stretch on an Irish flute will find this welcome. Also, the G hole on the left hand is rotated slightly outward. Casey is very good at making flutes people can play, and this will be a blessing for many beginners. The flute is uncommonly comfortable in a way that facilitates playing it fast.
Casey points out on his website that this flute isn’t meant as a replacement for a performance-level flute. I’ve compared it to his 450 dollar mopane flute. The beginner’s flute sounds less good, but it’s a close second. Mopane isn’t blackwood, to my ear; I prefer the latter–though mopane flutes are fine. But taken for what it is, the beginner’s flute is remarkable. Here is a good looking, strong sounding, easy playing and handling wooden Irish flute for 250 dollars. A great idea, well executed, and worth more than its price.
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No, seriously, I had to play it for about a month last summer when my “good flute” was in for repair, and I have to say it was actually very instructive. Even did a couple of gigs on it, and it certainly made me better on said “good flute” … so I still play it every now and again, if nothing else to stretch my hands.
who knows with the PO). OK, so I am an impatient waiter. So fire me. 
