I love this flute. One could argue/debate about many of it's characteristics. It is a little breathy, it's volume isn't the loudest, it isn't the most sophisticated finishing etc, but this flute has a soul. Can't describe it any better than that. When I pick up this flute and play, it speaks, with it's own voice, having it's own things to say about the world. I have other flutes (some of which I will likely part with) that have finer woodwork, or smoother voice, but are lifeless. This flute is more real than most I have.

Not to give the impression that it isn't a great playing flute. It is. I love the rougher voice, and it's well tuned, and the upper octave notes are great (some much so than more expensive flutes that don't get them so well). The wood is gorgeous actually, just without a lot of fancy stuff. The buffalo carving is wonderful. It also doesn't wet out so easily as other super-high finished flutes. Don't know what that means for long term stability of the flute, however.

For the price, I think it's a great deal. And I can't put a price on the spirit of this flute. I've attached some photos, and a sound file. MY APOLOGIES TO JEFF BALL. When I came to make this recording, the flute and I just couldn't seem to stop inserting phrases from Tranquility (The Shape of Light), a beloved song. Finally, I gave up and just played what I could remember of the piece. I'm sure this is a well known song, so I apologize for my alterations (mostly forgetfulness and some due to my own playing limitations). But the flute and I just couldn't record anything else at that time.

Great flute!!! Thanks for sharing!

Jim

Good looking flute and a wonderful recording!!!

Very nice Erec, just goes to show that you do that you don't need to spend a fortune or buy from a big name maker to get a nice flute.

Recording sounds great too,
Ed

It sounds great Erec! It reminds me of the Paul Thompson flute that Cool Breeze bought last year at the Yosemite festival.
Not a loud flute nor highly finished, but very pleasant. Dave and I sat on the lawn near him, behind a booth under the shade of a pine, as he played an authentic love song he had wrote many years ago....and the sounds were truly enchanting!
A little about Paul Thompson.
http://www.sedonacreativelife.com/pre0716.html

Erec, Your flute is beautiful and so is the sound clip. My first flute was an F# by Johah Thompson, but it was the cheaper version in pine. Yours looks like walnut. I had a lot of problems with mine but now I realize it was the player rather then the flute. I sold it and the buyer said he was very pleased with the way it played. It was always my impression that the more expensive flutes would sound the best. But I certainly was proven wrong several times since then. Enjoy you beautiful flute
Bonnie

Hey Erec, Really Nice indeed, and you are right that Flute has the "Spirit" in it for sure. When that happens I always like to believe it was 10% on the Wood used and 10% of the Flute Makers Talent and 80% was the "Gift" from the Creator! You bring the "Spirit" to Life very well with Your playing Brother! Many Blessings...Robert

Erec,you really make that flute sing Beautifully!!!! You and your flute sound fantastic! Is it Walnut? The Wood looks really Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it with us!

My very first NA flute was a Navajo by Jonah Thompson. It is very breathy and not so in tune, but it has the place of honor on my flute stand because it is the one that brought me forward..... I pick it up and play it now and then, and remember where I was then vs where I am now. I am most thankful to that little flute.
Blessings,
Beth

Erec,

Lovely playing. It just goes to show, the best flute is the one that speaks to your spirit (and the one you play the most)

Art

I got this on ebay - claimed the wood to be cedar. I'm not enough of a wood expert to know if that is right! It's highly figured, downright swirly in places. It's reddish colored, so I had assumed cedar.... (my cell phone in low light doesn't always get the colors accurately).

Gorgeous piece of wood! Congrats!

Very nice! Both the flute and the song.
It sounds like a 500.00 flute

You're right Rex. I do hear some similarities with my Paul Thompson flute. Interestingly enough, both Paul Thompson and Jonah Thompson are Navajo flute makers. Perhaps they're related or maybe learned from similar teachers.

I've owned several of JT's A flutes throughout the years. It's nice to know that his F# flutes (much less common) are just as good. Congratulations Erec!

Dave

I got this on ebay - claimed the wood to be cedar. I'm not enough of a wood expert to know if that is right! It's highly figured, downright swirly in places. It's reddish colored, so I had assumed cedar.... (my cell phone in low light doesn't always get the colors accurately).

Mine was from Ebay as well and it was a red color, but made of pine. The bottom line here is that you make it sound so beautiful and the type of wood reallly doesn't matter. Just enjoy it.
Bonnie

I agree Carlton, but it sounds like a $550 flute to me...

Love your playing my friend, as they say in NZ, "Sweet As"...

A Fan, Tenzin

Beautiful flute....I really like the buffalo block carving. Your playing is amazing.....it sounds so sweet.
You two should should have a very long happy life together.

I own a Thompson flute in Am in pine. Great flute and it was my first. I use it as my traveling flute as well.

I have to add my appreciation of your playing. Record a CD!

I like Jonah's flutes. The ones with a squared sound hole, are plenty loud. The round sound holes are older. Both versions play very well.

It is a beautiful flute and you play it in a wonderful way! Congrats!

I just purchased Jonah Thompson's cedar flute in F. So glad I read all wonderful reviews about this flute. I will post pictures and report back when I get it.

My first experience with NAF was a flute (also from e-bay) made by Goldenhawk. It is unfortunate I was not a member of this Forum at the time... All this while I thought my talents are limited to ocarina and Ukrainian sopilka...