These flutes are a matched pair that I made for a young brother and sister. They can be played individually or together
 
Bluebird Dreaming
 
My inspiration for this flute are the Bluebirds that return at this time year to upstate New York where I’m from. Their beautiful colour and lively songs always bring a much needed warmth to the air and the soul after a long cold winter. Dreams of the coming summer fill each night and morning. But what is it that the Bluebird dreams of? I imagine it is also of warmth and fun dancing in the sky with the fairies that live among the white clouds as they float across a bright blue sky. While I was creating this flute the sky here in England was just like that and as I looked up there was little white cloud all on its own. At first its shape was just like that of a cloud but clouds have a way of forming themselves into the most incredible beings. I don’t really know how they do it but I suspect the cloud fairies have a lot to do with it. This particular cloud, right before my very eyes turned into a magnificent Bluebird and she was singing. I played a little tune with this flute to her and watched her dance across the sky until she changed back into the shape of a white fluffy cloud. In honour of this amazing little bird and the hope of warm summer days and bright sunshine I name this flute Bluebird Dreaming.
 
She is in the key of D tuned to 440Hz and is 44cm (17 1/4”).  She is made of cane that I foraged in upstate New York this winter.  Its has many wonderful natural pattens and markings on it. I use a combination of burning, sanding and polishing to enhance these patterns  which gives each of these flutes a wonderful smooth finish and unique colour pattern. The block is held in place with leather lace from North American Whitetail Deer hide. The blue lashing is of waxed cotton whipping cord and the natural colour lashing at each end is artificial sinew. The feathers are Magpie and Red Kite which as always were found while I am walking with Mother Nature..
 
Running with Trees
 
I love the forest and one of my favourite things to do is to run with the trees. This flute is about that feeling and the connection that I have with them. While I was making this flute there was a lot of wind blowing everything in circles and even just standing out in it made me feel dizzy so I decided to go be with the trees. As soon as I entered the forest everything became calm and peaceful. The treetops high overhead were all dancing and swaying but down here on the ground it was quiet and still. I started running. Slowly at first. Then, when I came to a small hill, I ran down it like a deer with silent footsteps and great speed. I could feel the trees turn their attention to me and yes believe me, trees can do that as well as speak. If you want to hear what they are saying you just have to quiet your mind and listen with respect and be grateful for them. They began chatting with each other about how great it would be to be able to move across the land. To run or even just walk a little. I told the trees that it is a great pleasure for me to run here and I that I sometimes wish I was strong and tall like them and could live to be over 1000 years old as some trees do. They said, “Yes it is wonderful indeed to be trees”. I then asked them, “As nice as it is to be able to run, what would happen to the forests if trees could move like this? Would all the trees decide to move to the same place at the same time or would some wish to go in one direction and some in another. It is possible that the forests would be constantly changing shape, size and location and this might be hard for all the creatures that live here and need the food and shelter that you so graciously provide.” They were silent for a bit and then all together told me that what I said is true and its is better for trees to stay where their roots are. I told them how grateful I am for trees and forests and invited them to join me every time I am running among them. They can feel what I feel as I run swiftly over the ground at their feet. They gave a great shout of joy and said, “We will join you whenever you come here!” They then told me that I was always welcome to feel just how it is to be a tree as I ran through the forest. I said, “I would be honoured and would love to dance with them with the wind in my hair.” And so it is like this each time I enter any forest in the whole world. In honour of these beautiful beings and our time together I name this flute, Running with Trees.
 
He is in the key of D tuned to 440Hz and is 41cm (16”).  He is made of cane that I foraged in upstate New York this winter.  Its has many wonderful natural pattens and markings on it. I use a combination of burning, sanding and polishing to enhance these patterns  which gives each of these flutes a wonderful smooth finish and unique colour pattern. The block is held in place with leather lace from North American Whitetail Deer hide. The red lashing is of waxed cotton whipping cord and the natural colour lashing at each end is artificial sinew. The feathers are Barred Owl from New York and Red Kite which as always were found while I am walking with Mother Nature..
 
Find the music within yourself