Dick's comments on the C.S. Fuqua line of flutes: Chris Fuqua makes beautiful flutes in a wide variety of affordable price ranges. If money is no object, Chris will make you a beautiful flute with an artistically carved totem for the barrel. But if flute playing is new to you, and if you would like to buy a very affordable flute before venturing into buying an expensive instrument, Chris's PVC flutes are tuned correctly, sound sweet, and are affordable by all. Even more importantly, Chris will work with you so you end up with a flute that's comfortable to play. If you have short fingers, arthritic fingers, or weak fingers, Chris will size the flute holes and spacing for maximum playing comfort. When you buy a C.S. Fuqua flute, you don't pick a flute key and then hope it works for you. You instead buy Chris's experience that will give you satisfaction after you receive your flute because you will have communicated with him before buying the flute. This is the difference between a C.S. Fuqua flute and the other guys. If service is important to you, consider a C.S. Fuqua flute.
Comments from the Chris Fuqua flute workshop: Bamboo flutes are a good choice for wood sound without the expense that most wooden flutes demand because bamboo provides a readymade chamber. A $75 bamboo flute will sound as good as a $120 flute. The difference in cost is the fetish (the piece that sits atop the flute), whether it’s a custom-carved fetish or a standard fetish. The look of the fetish -- custom or standard -- makes absolutely no difference in sound quality. The bamboo used for WindPoem flutes is locally grown, and the pieces are naturally downed. Growing bamboo is never cut to supply orders. Fetishes are crafted from scrap wood or naturally-downed wood, usually pine or cedar, and secured to the flute with leather string ties. An affordable alternative to bamboo is PVC. PVC flutes are cheaper and quicker to construct. The sound is slightly different, but not that noticeably different from bamboo or wood, and PVC is far more durable. PVC flutes are available with only one type of fetish, a slide-on PVC fetish for a streamlined look.
Flutes are crafted following order placement. It usually takes two to three weeks from order to completion, sometimes a little longer depending on the tenacity of the material, time of year, and the fact that a flute may require tweaking for a satisfactory sound. Crafting during winter takes longer due to extreme humidity and temperature variations that cause problems in tuning as well as working successfully with the bamboo itself. PVC is not as adversely affected by winter extremes as bamboo, so order fulfillment for PVC flutes during winter may require less time than orders for bamboo flutes. Also, WindPoem flutes are tuned slightly flat. As the flute's played, the player's breath warms the flute material, causing the notes to sharpen. If tuned to standard, then the flute becomes sharp. If tuned slightly flat, the flute rises to standard pitch.
An area’s degree of humidity can have a profound effect on bamboo, causing splitting. If you live in a very dry environment, bamboo is not the right material for your flute. No matter where you live, binding is suggested to deter splitting, and instructions for binding are provided with each bamboo flute.
The flute making process involves several steps-- |
