The Production of Overtone Flutes and ‘Fujara’

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.

Photo gallery:

Special hand-drills used for drilling elder wood for flutes and fujaras

Winter wood „harvesting“ with Jakub Eifler, a friend of mine, an enthusiastic didgeridoo maker

Pieces of wood being moved into my workshop

Store of the wood for fujara flutes

Bark is being removed

The process of drilling

Detail of a handrill cutting first pieces of wood

Pieces of wood which are bent too much need to be straightened when drilled

Pieces of wood which are bent too much need to be straightened when drilled

Making the block for the flute

Adjusting the size of the block

Cutting the fipple

Cutting the fipple

Cutting the fipple

Pieces of the fujara flute

Pieces of the fujara being put together

Pieces of the fujara being put together

Ornament carving

Sandpapering of the carved ornament

Staining the flute with the natural mornant

Pouring linen oil into the flute

Applying shelack on the flute

Polishing the shelack layer