This month we have something a little different–a Walkabout from Vortex Sounds. These belt-mounted, portable PA systems (complete with echo effects) are a flutists delight!
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Monthly Prize Drawing's Blog
Info about our drawing for Flute Portal subscribers!
To celebrate the Holiday Season, to welcome a new decade, and to say thanks to all of the members who helped support the Flute Portal through our first year of taking subscriptions, we have a deluxe prize drawing! We have three flutes, six CDs and two books!
To start off, forum member Just Jim (aspiring flute maker) has donated a collaborative creation. This flute is made from soft, Curly Maple and is in the key of high C. It sports a distinctive block created by Marsha of Standing Flutes: A branch cross-section with inlaid stone. It also comes with a really cool, cosmic looking purple bag made by Jim’s mother (not shown here).
Next we have two donations from Earth Tone Flutes: salvaged Old Growth Redwood flutes in low C, with burn rings and Black Walnut Bear Claw blocks.
Next, we have a selection of prizes: a copy of Secrets of a Crow (new CD release from Jeff Ball), two copies of Shadows of Time (CD from Gary Stroutsos and David Revelli), two copies of Oru: The Natural Order (also from Gary Stroutsos), a copy of Seasons: Christmas Carols (CD from Ron Korb), and two copies of Jonny Lipford’s new book: Learning To Flute Outside The Box Vol. I : Practical Guide to Practicing.
Thanks to all who donated materials, and a special thank you to all of the voluntary subscribers whose generosity made a big difference to the Flute Portal this year!
This month our prize is provided by Rick Dunlap of Visionhawk Music. Rick has donated one of his new creations: The Moyo Midi! Many of you are familiar with Moyo Drums, and of course the Moyo Baby (a smaller version of the classic Moyo drum). Moyo drums are steel tongue drums that are both percussive and melodic, making them incredibly versatile and entertaining instruments. The new Moyo Midi represents an expansion of the offerings available, and it is a more compact, yet full sounding version of the original Moyo drums. These are easier to carry and handle, they take up less space in your house or studio, and they have a HUGE sound.
The November prize is a Moyo Midi in the key of E (minor). To hear sound samples, just go to www.moyodrum.com. Here is a pic:
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
It has been another slow month for donations, but I had anticipated this, and in my usual sneaky manner I set aside a nice flute for the occasion 
It is another NAF in the key of E, this time made from Black Walnut with inlay bands of Pink Coral and a Raven block finished in black lacquer. Here are some pics:
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
Running a bit late again, this time because of the Yosemite Flute Festival, which kept me out of town until the end of September. This month we were a bit shy on donation flutes again, so I’m providing a flute that will hopefully fill the gap (the drawing will be held within a few days of posting this): a Curly Maple NAF in the key of mid/low E, with dyed Curly Maple Raven block and stone inlay rings of Chrysacola. Here are some pics:
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
This month, our wonderful prize drawing features a branch flute made by Dale of Fallen Branch flutes! This amazing creation is made from a Red Cedar branch with an antler totem and is in the key of F#. There is a sound sample below these pics.
This month we will also be featuring a second place prize for the drawing, courtesy of our good friend Marsha from Standing Flutes. Last months winner did not require any more flute stuff, so he graciously withdrew his claim to this prize and Marsha generously allowed us to offer it again this month for our lucky runner up in the drawing! It is a $100 gift certificate for any item that is offered by Standing Flutes, and there is a lot to choose from! The winner will be contacted regarding their many options in redeeming this prize.
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
For the month of July we didn’t manage to collar a donation flute, so I went into the shop, dusted off my NAF making hat and put it on again. It is a little late, but the drawing will be held this week.
This flute is made from Black Limba, featuring inlay rings of Minnesota Pipestone framed with burn rings and a Bear Claw block made from Black Walnut. It is in the key of mid/low D.
This month we will also be featuring a second place prize for the drawing, courtesy of our good friend Marsha from Standing Flutes!
Thanks Marsha! Someone will get a treat (I have a pair of those rattles and they are sweeeeeet!).
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
This months prize has been donated by Tim Blueflint of Shades of Rez Custom Flutes. This is one of Tims’ new Hybrid Warbler flutes. Here is a blurb about them from Tims website:
“Introducing the all new Shades of Rez Hybrid Flute. Perfect for new students and those who like to take their flutes into the outdoors, it is a fusion of PVC with a hardwood mouthpiece and bird. They all are tuned to the key of A… and here’s the twist… as with the majority of my flutes, when pushed a little on the …fundamental note, they produce our Signature Warble! Because of the nature of the construction of this flute, they can be left in the car, thrown in a backpack or boat without the worry of damaging it, yet still gives a traditional look and feel, crystal clear voice and spot on tuning into the upper octave of a more expensive flute costing hundreds of dollars. “
You can see a great YouTube video of Tim demonstrating this flute HERE.
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
Congratulations to Charles Koci, winner of this months prize drawing!
This months prize flute has been donated by Alex Marshall (aka “The Flute Doctor”). Alex and Ed Easter have recently joined forces to create Sierra Flutes, and the collaboration is bearing fruit! The May prize is an Alaskan Yellow Cedar low B, and this is as nice a flute as I’ve ever played. Very clear voice and highly responsive.
Alex has earned his nickname of “The Flute Doctor” by modifying and repairing hundreds of flutes over the years. Whenever someone had a poorly voiced flute, or one that had succumbed to time or neglect and lost its voice, or a flute that was not properly tuned, Alex could be relied on to tweak it into life again! And now he has applied his talents to a flute making enterprise of his own (however, he no longer “doctors” flutes, so if you are thinking of making an appointment for your favorite “wall hanger”, he is no longer available
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
Here are some pics:
This month there will be two prizes up for grabs, which means that two lucky subscribers will receive a special treat!
The prize drawing is open to all subscribers. Not a subscriber? Learn how you can participate in the drawing and support the Flute Portal at the same time! Click HERE for more information.
Prize # 1: Keith Oberdieck of Burning Wood Flutes has contributed a gorgeous creation in the key of G# made from Padauk, with custom burn rings, woven and beaded ties, and Bear block with turquoise inlay. I’ve played this flute and it is very sweet, with a full, strong voice and clear tone. Absolutely top notch. Here are some pics:
Prize # 2: A contribution from Earth Tone Flues (me!). This flute is made from Black Limba with a Raven block and endcaps made from Wenge. It is in the key of mid-F. Here are some pics:
