Page 105 - Clarkes Music Company July 2024

The Head
The Silverwood flute has a tuneable handmade head-joint made from wood rather than plastic as many budget flutes have. As a result it is possible to undercut the embouchure hole properly. Without this undercutting the flute would not have the same tonal quality or be as easy to play. Consequently, this gives the player the same feel and sound as they would expect from a more expensive wooden flute.
The Body
The aluminium body of the Silverwood flute has a smaller diameter than a wooden flute which is more comfortable for players with smaller hands. The finger-hole spacings have also been designed with this in mind.
The aluminium body allows the player to slur notes by sliding fingers, and also for the fast ornamentation found especially in Irish traditional music which is not possible on modern orchestral metal flutes. The aluminium body also gives the flute a brighter tone than a fully wooden flute.
Case & Accessories
All Silverwood flutes are sold with a durable and waterproof fabric case. The joint between the head and body is made using rubber O-rings which are low- maintenance and will last for many years. However, a spare set of O-rings is included as well as some silicone grease to keep the O-rings lubricated.
A fingering chart and maintenance video can be found at www.silverwoodflutes.com
The Makers
Silverwood Flutes are made by Tony Millyard and Sophie Matthews in England. The flute has been designed by Tony who has been making top-quality wooden flutes for over 15 years, and the same care and precision goes onto making Silverwood flutes. Sophie Matthews works with Tony making the keys for the wooden flutes.