Stonewhistle Double Flute - Bb3 minor

Tuning
There is no bigger challenge than tuning a clay instrument! As the clay shrinks during drying and firing, the volume of the instrument decreases and the pitch of the instrument will rise. So to get an instrument in tune, we need to tune it out of pitch before firing by calculating the shrinkage of the clay. It took us many years to find a working method but now we get every instrument in the desired pitch!

 

Pure Clay
We have decided to use only pure clay to build our instruments. This is why we develop new ways to decorate our work only with Terra Sigillata (TS). TS is a watery slip, made of the finest clay particles which we distillate out of different river clays from different parts of the world. Every river clay produces different colors after firing. This technique was used by the ancient Romans who used this technique to get their pots shiny and waterproof without the need for glazes or high firing.

Through the years we were able to create a wide pallet of different colors, using only pure clay.

We use two different techniques on our instruments: a soap bubble technique with up to 6 different TS, a specially developed smoke fire technique to give our instruments a beautiful ancient look and a combination of both techniques.

We suggest you to stow each flute in the bag provided when not in use. Keep away from direct sunlight and water. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe your flute from dirt and dust.

We are Ieke & Hans Houkes.

For many years now our passion is developing new ceramic flute models. We are always eager for new sounds and forgotten knowledge from the past. 
All the flutes use only natural clay, water, and fire to build our instruments. And air, of course, to play them…