Patience
 
Sometimes when I visit my parents house I make my way to the basement where I have a few boxes stored. They contain all kinds of things from all different periods of my life. It’s like opening a treasure chest filled with precious memories and special objects. As I only normally only ever do this every couple of years, I never remember exactly what is in these boxes. On this occasion I was quite surprised to find some bamboo for making flutes that I had kept in these boxes for about 25 years. As I am here in New York this winter creating flutes I brought all of this bamboo to the cabin where I am working. This flute is the first in a series that I will be creating from this very old and very hard bamboo. It was a joy to be working with it again as it is from my early flute making and playing days. For many years she lay in silence waiting to be born and now she is singing beautifully and shining brightly. I thought about and felt how important it is for us all to be tolerant and patient in our lives. This was my inspiration in creating this flute and she had certainly waited so long enough to find her voice. I hope her songs will remind all those who hear them to be more aware of this important virtue. That is my intent and I have named Patience.
 
She is in the key of A4 at 432Hz and is 50cm (19 1/2”) and is made of natural bamboo that has been aged for over 25 years. She is very solid and has a weight to her that makes her voice rich but also lively. I use a combination of burning, sanding and polishing which gives each of these flutes a wonderful smooth finish and unique colour pattern. She has 6 finger holes and is tuned to a pentatonic minor scale.The Totem is made from Oak which has been collected in the forest by my father to make his own beautiful objects. It is held in place with leather lace from North American Whitetail Deer hide. Finger hole #4 is also covered with the same lace. This can be removed or replaced at any time to change this flute between a 5 hole and 6 hole configuration.The blue and natural lashing is of waxed cotton whipping cord and the natural colour lashing is artificial sinew.
 
Find the music within yourself!.