The production of the overtone flute is a very long process lasting several years. Over this time, a piece of dead branch is changed into a flute. It all begins in winter, when one is roaming in a forest, carefully looking for suitable pieces of elder wood. This is then followed by years of wood drying. Drilling the wood with special old hand-drills is one of the skills one has to master. Then you need to shape the pipe with a chisel, which is arduous work, but it creates the soul of the instrument. Each of these steps has its peculiarities and its beauties. If an instrument is produced with care, it will reward its user with the delight of rich sound and colour.
Have a look at the pictures showing the steps taken to produce a traditional overtone flute koncovka or fujara.
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Special hand-drills used for drilling elder wood for flutes and fujaras |
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Winter wood „harvesting“ with Jakub Eifler, a friend of mine, an enthusiastic didgeridoo maker |
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Pieces of wood being moved into my workshop |
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Store of the wood for fujara flutes |
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Bark is being removed |
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The process of drilling |
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Detail of a handrill cutting first pieces of wood |
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Pieces of wood which are bent too much need to be straightened when drilled |
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Pieces of wood which are bent too much need to be straightened when drilled |
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Making the block for the flute |
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Adjusting the size of the block |
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Cutting the fipple |
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Cutting the fipple |
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Cutting the fipple |
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Pieces of the fujara flute |
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Pieces of the fujara being put together |
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Pieces of the fujara being put together |
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Ornament carving |
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Sandpapering of the carved ornament |
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Staining the flute with the natural mornant |
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Pouring linen oil into the flute |
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Applying shelack on the flute |
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Polishing the shelack layer |
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