18/06/2026
It’s finally here - my first ever keyed flute! This is a lefthanded 4-key Bb which has been quite a long time in the making. It started as a commission referral from Chris Wilkes, and as I wasn’t at all set up for Bb making at the time Chris kindly provided me with turned & reamed bodies he’d made some 30-odd years ago, as well as lending me his reamers and measurements to get me started. I also went to the Bate Collection in Oxford and took extensive measurements of the Rudall Bb they have there.
This has been a lot of hard work but I’m extremely happy with how it looks and sounds 🙂🎶
Special thanks to my good buddy Jem Hammond for hints and tips about springs & things, not to mention access over the years to his own Rudall Bb (as well as many other very nice flutes).
Now full steam ahead with keyed D flutes !!
