,Here's the latest update on Jon's blackwood Rudall touring flute:
It's quite incredible really how this flute and I are hitting it off
- I know there is this controversy about the player versus flute argument, and I really don't want to put fuel to the fire here but the strange thing is that I seem to get a better tone out of Jon's flute compared to my Hammy which I presume means that somehow Jon's flute is better suited to the way I find most natural to play.And another thing: I have had problems recently with rather sever tendonitis in my hands and wrist but although Jon's flute is a big flute it balances much easier in my hands than my other flute, hence I feel no strain playing - the reason being that my Hammy feels a little more top heavy and that's why I find it harder to balance it but Jon's flute has the natural tendency to drop towards the other side, so when I lean it against my lower lip it becomes perfectly balanced as I hold it, and I don't get this feeling of the flute wanting to tilt with tail end towards the heavens. Jon's flute just lies gently in my hand and there is no pressure on what I describe as the 'root of my index finger' ie the part where the flute rests on as you hold it inbetween the index finger and thumb of the left hand - not sure if that description makes sense to anyone
. So this flute is therapy for me, and I can play without pain or loosing sensation in my fingers - and that's a real blessing . Of course having said that I don't want to knock Hammy's flutes in any - as everyone knows Hammy's flutes are wonderful, wonderful flutes 
so my problem holding it has to do with my own physiological make-up and deficiencies.And if anyone is interested - I had a lesson with my teacher today and she tried out the flute, and she also expressed it was a really lovely flute
. Without me saying anything she also noticed the difference of the tone which we both agreed possessed a beautiful dark and woody quality. Also, my teacher commented on how loud this flute is as I played it, and I'm surprising myself with what this flute allows me to do. The thing is I don't know how it works but playing this flute feels like magic to me, and it allows me to produce a tone I could have only dreamt of
.I'm completely smitten with Jon's flute
- and my teacher when she saw how well the flute and I bonded even suggested to me that I should sell my Hammie to purchase one of Jon's flutes. Unfortunately, the Hammy has a lot of sentimental value to me, so I'm not ready to part with it yet 
- still, I have no doubt in my mind that I would love to have Jon's flute as my first flute 
- so I will be putting in an order as soon as my financial situation permits me - and I don't know how many people know this but I can tell you that what Jon charges is more than reasonable - it's one hell of a bargain because the flutes Jon makes are magical .And I know for certain that when it's time for me to pass on the touring flute to the next person, there are going to be tears and lots of them because I really don't want to let this flute go
... this is how much I like it... feels like love at first sight and it's one passionate affair ...I'll keep you posted
,Vanessa
PS Oh, and another thing - I took off the teflon tape around the joints of the flute and let the flute rest on an honorable place on my kitchen counter, and lo and behold the next morning all the joints fitted snugly together - no need for plumber's tape - it's just perfect as it is
...
