I finally finished my mango timber Native American style flute. The last few miles were demanding; my Dremel decided to die on me at the most inopportune time, and so I had to carve the whale totem the old fashion way. I do have a set of turning chisels, but I don't have a decent carving one (it's on my purchase list.) Consequently, I whittled away using a utility knife. Not glamourous and rather dangerous, but it did the trick.
I decided to nickname this flute "Migaloo", in honour of our famous cetacean visitor. It is tuned the the key of F above middle C. The wood used for the fetish is Euro beech, Brazilian purpleheart, and jacaranda for the whale (taken from our own tree, in the front yard.) I won't go into a long-winded explanation, but the key it is tuned in, types of wood selected, and the whale totem are quite symbolic and meaningful to me. |
Click on the slideshow below to hear Migaloo sing.
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This morning, I handed over a much awaited commissioned painting. Nothing brings me greater joy than to see people's face brighten up with excitement upon receiving one of my artworks. It means I have succeeded in creating and sharing a bit of beauty and happiness with others. Thank you so much for your patience and patronage, Jim and Leanne.
I've finally tuned and polished the flute, and I must admit... It's an absolute beauty! The sound is just so mellow, rich and soulful. I decided to cut off about 40mm from the bore and tune it to the key of F (the heart chakra resonates to this particular key). I've also discovered what sort of timber it is; I am 99.9% sure it is mango wood. I vaguely remember Malcom mentioning mango timber to me, but after investigating on The Wood Database, it does appears to fit the bill. The next step is to carve the fetish and tie it onto the nest. This is the tricky part. I've opted for a combination of Euro beech and purpleheart for the base, and possibly Aussie red cedar for the actual totem.
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About the AuthorI am a student of life, a nature nut, a passionate artist, a staunch individualist, a quiet introvert, and childlike at heart. Categories
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