Flute Workshop in A minor

This months Mother’s Day flute extravaganza was cut short due to family crisis (my toddler caught the Chicken Pox)

We did have two new “never-ever” participants in the workshop, join Bob Willasch and myself in making flutes from what Bob affectionately calls “urban pine” or PVC pipe. We cranked out some flutes and had time to play them as well as enjoying some great flutes from Bob’s collection. We had a very fun morning and extend a BIG thanks to Bob for coming out to run our workshop.

Prior to this event I was aware that Bob has a wealth of flute making experience and that he can speak knowledgably about a number of topics. His expertise really shines when you see how easy it is to build a working and very playable flute in PVC. Bob has his system down and with just a tape measure, drill press, needle files, wood dowel and a Dremel-style grinder we were in business in short order. We even went fast enough to botch one or two and this again allowed Bob’s experience to shine as he was able to guide us through fixing the problem back to playable.

The remainder of our time was spent getting to know the new flute players and learning about Bob’s flutes from a number of well known makers. Bob also has a sort of “petting zoo” of historical and reproduction style flutes that show the difference in styles for the instrument. They make a great reference for the discussion of how the flute works and where it has been.

His flute making template, with permission, will provide many a great start for flute folks who want their first instrument to be sweet and simple. I would consider trying this again with circle members who wish to give it a whirl, as we had many folks with prior commitments that could not attend. You all missed a great workshop so we’ll try an encore sometime.

We did have several flute circle members contribute to Bob’s travel expenses and your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I have not even finished tuning mine – it is very close to A right off the drill press and by untrained ear you cannot tell the difference. Digitally at 440hz; it needs a little bit of filing and of course it would be nice to get the water pipe tattoo off the side but do you want to play it or sand it?! When the toddler has the pox you spend the scant few moments you have playing it I think.

Our next meeting will be at the RCCAC on Saturday, June 9^th from 1-3pm and you can see for yourself how well a .57 cent flute plays.

May Flute News

May Flute News
Several weeks have passed in technology Hades (sans computer) and I am weathering it OK, Time for another remote posting of the flute circle blog.

This month for our second Saturday meeting (May 12) we are honored with a special guest. Bob Willasch from the Maryland Flute Circle will be attending our gathering and presenting a special flute making workshop from 10am to 1pm. Bring a sack lunch and be prepared to work with basic tools to create your own Native American Style flute from PVC in the key of A. This will be a fun morning and you’ll go home with your own flute as well as a bunch of new knowledge about the instrument. Bob has made flutes for more than a decade, presented all over the country and traded tips with Butch Hall, Dusty Moore, Hawk Littlejohn and many other great flute makers. You’ll be enriched by spending time with Bob. Did I mention the workshop is FREE? Flute Circle will follow that afternoon from 1-3pm at RCCAC.
Here is a link for the workshop http://www.randolpharts.org/07latespringclasses.html


Flute maker and Shawnee drummer Allen Hendricks is rumored to be attending our next flute circle meeting. Last I spoke with Allen he had made a seven hole flute that sounds pretty darn good. Allen sells his flutes at Tamarack in Beckley, WV [www.tamarackwv.com] and is someone who wants to share traditional drumming with the circle. Cool stuff.

Last month we had a great treat in being able to trade tunes and sounds with a silver flutist who had joined us. So many things are similar between the instruments and being classically trained, Renee was able to teach us several things about reading music too. We hope to see more flute folks of all types in the future.

New information to share at this months meeting from Grand Canyon Flutes.com. They have sent the circle a sample of music from Robert Windpony Mann and an instruction guide I hope to review in a future installment. They also offer a large selection of flutes from a number of makers and in a wide price range as well.

Our June meeting will be June 9th as planned from 1-3 at RCCAC. My travel plans to attend Zion Flute Festival have changed and I will be here to host the meeting.
Until next time!