Woods Used in Making our Flutes

Cedar is most often the traditional wood that Native Style flutes are carved from since the tree has special significance to the Native-Americans. The Cedar has a shallow root system and is therefore easily uprooted in strong winds. In order to stay alive, the roots of nearby Cedar trees intertwine to support each other, and it is this unity and spirit of community that makes the Cedar special. The wood that the Cedar offers is both beautiful in appearance, relatively easy to carve, and creates a flute with great tone. Because of this, all of my Standard Flutes are carved from it. I generally use the Eastern and Western Red Aromatic Cedars since, not only do they have a very nice smell when working with them, but the wood has wonderful character, with various shades of red, amber, and yellow all occurring in perhaps one piece of wood.

Another wood that I am very fond of is Redheart, also called Brazilian Bloodwood. It is a very beautiful wood with deep reds and sometimes yellow streaks of sapwood. It compliments the Cedar wonderfully and makes a very fine two-tone flute. In fact, one of my most loved personal flutes is a two-toned Redheart/Cedar flute, and the sound is so sweet!

I have access to a great variety of exotic woods, in addition to the varieties found here in the USA, but I am also aware that a problem exists with deforestation and destruction of our earth's valuable resources, especially in the rain forests. Therefore, I make every effort to buy only woods from reputable sources that are ecologically friendly. Please ask when ordering for information on what woods are currently available.