I recently saw a picture of some very interesting drone flutes. It had my imagination running a bit. I wondered about building a drone-like flute, but instead of two flutes of relative size, maybe a high fundamental and a bass? This may have been done before, and I would love to see it! I wouldn't even begin to know what keys to try and make them in and have harmony, due to my lack of musical knowledge. So, anyone seen anything like this?

Yup, these are called harmony or harmonizing drones. You can use the circle of fifths to figure out what keys work well together. Another type of drone like flutes are the double flutes currently made by Brent Haines of Woodsounds or like Jon Sherman of Dryad Flutes and I'm sure other makers, where the the notes on one or both sides/bodies of the drone can be covered to change the fundamental note. It makes for some fun fluting.

Example of Woodsounds double flute

Example of Dryad (this one happens to be mine)

Harmonic pairings

Hope this helps

Rod

Dana Ross makes some combination flutes like that in doubles and triples versions.

John Kulias, of Meadowlark Flutes, makes ceramic harmony NAF style drones. I have one, and it's the most amazing instrument! He has both his harmony drones and regular drones on this web page:

http://meadowlarkflutes.com/shop.php?cPath...bb9015fd9a58c76

Another maker is Pat Haran. He also makes triple harmony drones.

Absolutely gorgeous! Just amazing! Thank you all! salsadj, I had actually forgot that I have heard Jon's warbling drone! A flute to be proud of, indeed!

This is mine, a beautiful mid-A/high-E harmony drone made my Leonard McGann

Click to view attachment

Looks durable.

That's really beautiful, Jim! Can we have a sound sample?

Beautiful Jim!