FLUTE: from the base word for flue; a passageway for air. The flute is one of the oldest complex instruments known to human beings.

My name is Dusty and I am the maker of Tsunami Flutes. These flutes are five hole flutes fashioned in the style of the Native American Woodlands tradition. The woodlands style flute has the flue, or air passage, carved into the flute body. The "bird", which is flat on the bottom, sits on top of the flue, resulting in a channel for the air, and thus producing the rich, full tone indicative of the Woodlands flute. Plains style flutes use a spacer plate with a gap that defines the flue. This plate is made from leather, wood veneer, or brass. The result is four surfaces that must come together to seal the flue. A tight seal is not always achieved, resulting in a loss of tone or even a squelching overtone.

Tsunami Flutes have the "bird" firmly seated on the "nest" with the use of five or six strong leather ties. This functional approach in securing the "bird" achieves an airtight bond with the flute body. No air pressure is allowed to escape except to the cutting edge of the sound hole where it belongs.The leather I use is either buffalo, elk, or cow hide because it is tough and can be tied tightly and untied easily with a simple hitch (not a knot). I find deer hide to be too fragile with a tendency to break.

Other unique features of Tsunami Flutes are the offset placement of the finger-holes and the slightly recessed and angled groove at each finger-hole which allows for better finger placement. I adopted these ergonomic designs because Creator gave us fingers of different lengths. The recessed groove allows for each finger to seat itself on the finger-hole in a correct position. The feedback from Tsunami Flute owners is that these design features feel natural. This unique fingerhole design also allows for the notes to bend easily, meaning the transition from one note to the next will be smooth with little or no distortion.

The finish on Tsunami Flutes is non-toxic shellac. Shellac has been used for thousands of years in Asia and is a natural by-product of the lac scale insect. Shellac is not waterproof, but it is a perfect finish for wooden musical instruments. Should you take your flute out in the rain? Probably not, but if you must, I recommend a light paste wax finish, although shellac will take any additional finish you may wish to apply, ie. beeswax, varnish, or even polyurathane.

The inside of the flute is treated with a mixture of lemon oil and mineral oil. This treatment should be continued once or twice a year. However, even with very little maintenance, a Tsunami Flute will perform for years. Remember, it is a quality wooden instrument and should be cared for accordingly.