Are Native American style flutes suitable for beginners?

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Absolutely. You don’t need any previous musical experience or need to know how to read music to begin playing. The Native American style flute lends itself beautifully to intuitive playing, listening and finding your own sound.

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How do I choose the right flute for me?

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Think about the key, size, tone and feel of the flute. Lower-pitched flutes tend to be larger and may require a greater finger stretch, while higher-pitched flutes are generally smaller.

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You can listen to a recording of each flute in the online shop, and if you’re unsure, please get in touch. I’ll be happy to help you choose.

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What key should I choose for my first flute?

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The right key depends on the sound you’re drawn to and what feels comfortable in your hands. Higher-pitched flutes are generally smaller, while lower-pitched flutes are longer and can require a greater finger stretch.

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If you’re buying your first flute and aren’t sure where to start, get in touch and I can help you choose.

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What’s the difference between 432Hz and 440Hz?

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These are two different tuning standards. 440Hz is commonly used by modern Western instruments, which can make it a practical choice if you’d like to play alongside other musicians or instruments.

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Some players are particularly drawn to the sound and feel of a flute tuned to 432Hz. If you’re unsure which is right for you, I’m happy to talk through the options.

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What’s the difference between a traditional flute and a drone flute?

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A traditional flute has a single voice, while a drone flute allows two voices to sound together. The drone provides a continuous accompanying tone alongside the melody, creating a rich, immersive sound.

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Can I hear a flute before I buy it?

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Yes. Flutes listed in the online shop have a recording of their voice, so you can hear the individual character and sound of a flute before deciding if it’s the one for you.

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Can you make a custom flute for me?

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Yes. Custom flutes are at the heart of what I do.

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We’ll begin with a conversation about the flute you’d like to create, including the wood, style, key, sound and number of holes. We can also explore natural elements, animals, plants, stones, colours or symbols that have a particular meaning for you.

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Can I follow the making of my custom flute?

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Yes. The journey is an important part of creating a custom flute. I share photographs, videos and recordings along the way, from selecting the wood through to the flute taking shape and finding its individual voice.

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Your finished flute also comes with its own written creation story.

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How much does a custom flute cost and how long does it take?

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As a general guide, traditional custom flutes are around £300–£350 and drone flutes around £450–£500.

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Every flute is individually handcrafted, so the waiting time can vary from around one to six months depending on the flute and my current workload. I’ll give you an approximate completion date when we first discuss your flute.

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Does my flute come with a guarantee?

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Yes. Every flute I create comes with a lifetime guarantee, as well as its own creation story and a beautiful cloth case.

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Do you offer lessons or flute-making workshops?

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Yes. I offer private flute tuition as well as small flute-making workshops in Cornwall.

You don’t need previous musical experience to have tuition, and no previous woodworking or flute-making experience is needed to join a workshop. You can find more information on the Tuition and Workshops pages.

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Do you ship outside the UK?

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Shining Fox Flutes is based in Cornwall, England, and welcomes customers from around the world. Please get in touch if you have any questions about delivery to your country.

Still have a question?

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Choosing a flute can be a very personal experience, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch.

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If there’s something you’d like to know, you need help choosing a flute, or you’re thinking about having one made especially for you, I’d be happy to hear from you.