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-Chris
Fuqua, master flute builder-
Chris Fuqua builds beautiful flutes. He's also an extremely modest man. There are many flute builders on our planet, and I have no doubt they are all very nice people. But Chris is one of those humans who will do everything in his power to make you happy with the flutes he will build for you. Many of our customers express the need for a flute that's physically easy for them to play. This means small finger holes and holes spaced close enough so short fingers or those who suffer from muscle pain can comfortably reach the notes. I don't know how Chris does it, but he can build a flute that just about anyone can play. I have my own physical limitations, so I know what I'm talking about. Even my low C# flute is very playable. (The higher the key, the closer the finger holes, all things being equal.) Along with the bamboo flutes Chris has crafted for me, I also play Chris's PVC flutes because they're rugged, inexpensive, and sound wonderful. Details below.) I use an F# to play the traditional sound of the NA flute, (although you can play any kind of music on it), I use the E flute to play everything from traditional to classical to folk to pop, and I use the low C# to play the blues. I didn't realize the full potential of the flute until I began playing Chris's flutes. First and foremost, I'm a musician—a very demanding musician. If I buy an instrument from someone, I expect the work to be good. Chris's work is excellent. Period. And if I don't tell you how good he is, you might never know. Chris is too darned modest for his own good. ^_^ |
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-The Inexpensive PVC Flute- Chris also makes inexpensive PVC flutes for those who want to try a flute without paying more than you might want. It's a great way to try out different flute keys without having to mortgage the farm. :-) Chris's PVC flutes have a unique block assembly that makes it easy for you, the user. The easy part is when you you open the package Chris sent the flute in; you can immediately start playing the flute. This is possible because the flute block is set by Chris before he mails it to you. This block won't move in mailing. The secret is that the block is a friction fit that won't move during shipping.This is a great flute for beginners, as well as pros who want to hit the ground running. If you already have or are thinkiing of buying a wooden flute, not to worry! There are detailed instructions for setting the block on your wooden flute HERE. In fact, even if you never buy a wooden flute, it's fun to see what's under the block. You can see those two holes under the block on this page. The more you know, the more power you've got. <g> |
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-Scale Fingering Variations- Flutes vary from builder to builder: not only in appearance, but in how notes are fingered for maximum tonal accuracy. Each scale pictured will play every note available on your flute. The fingering variations are in color. If you find that playing scale 1, as written, sounds perfect to you, no further exploring is necessary on your part. If, however, you find that the fourth note, the green note, doesn’t sound right as played in scale 1, play the green fingering variation in scale 2. (The % means the hole is half covered by the finger.) On the other hand, if note 10, the orange note, sounds wrong as played in the first scale, play the orange fingering variation in scale 2. Most flutes sound good with the notes in Scale 1 played as is. Chris Fuqua’s PVC ‘G’ flute sounds best THIS way: scale 1, green, scale 2, orange, scale 1, brown, scale 1 red, scale 2, blue. The variations in Scale 3 appear on Chris Fuqua’s low C# flute. If you can’t get notes to sound in tune, blow harder to kick up the pitch. If the note as you blow it, sounds a bit sharp, blow more gently. |
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can you know if you are playing the notes in tune? By matching the
notes against a piano or electronic keyboard. To do that, find the
key on the keyboard where your flute scale starts. Then play upwards,
every key that follows, including the black keys. But how do you know
where to start playing on the piano? Blow the lowest note on your
flute, match it to the keyboard key, then work your way upward, one
keyboard key at a time, including the black keys. Want
to hear what the PVC flute sounds like? Just
click!
If you are interested in exploring further Chris's work, you can investigate it by going here. |
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