A flute made from a tree branch offers the player a more direct, experiential relationship with the natural world. The importance of this relationship offers an inspiring challenge makers of branch flutes—to bring the highest quality of craftsmanship possible to this unique art form. And to do so without losing those characteristics that make a tree so enchanting to behold—her bark, her knots, her unique shape and color, and her enduring strength. These natural characteristics are very capable of contributing to the quality of a flute, though they present a greater challenge than simply working with a stock piece of lumber whose source is usually unknown. To meet this challenge, I'll use a combination of hand and power tools—whatever works best for a particular branch. The most important tool, though, is a focused awareness and listening grace given to each branch in the process of finding her voice. Every branch flute will have her own character, since every tree and each branch is unique. But within that unique character, every Dryad branch flute must meet certain high standards before leaving my shop:
● She has a tuning that is recording and concert quality, with a clear, sweet voice that's not too breathy.
● She has sufficient volume with a stable, responsive tone able to accommodate the full dynamic range of a variety of musical intentions.
● She represents the spirit, beauty and natural strength of the tree that grew her.
After boring out the sound and air chambers every branch worked is kiln dried before voicing, ensuring that the wood has shrunk as much as it's ever going to, helping to prevent any degradation over time in tuning or tone. On my native style flutes a cedar shoe is laminated to the bottom of the "bird" to aid against wetout. On my recorder style flutes, cedar is inlaid around the embouchure, windway, window and labium, to help keep that area free of wood movement or decay and also as an aid against wetout. On those flutes with the bark left on, I make sure the bark is tight to the grain before working it. One of the advantages of working with green wood is that the natural adherence of the bark is better preserved, especially when sealing the branch in the finishing process.
I appreciate your interest and wish you many natural blessings!
- Jon Sherman
