Randal Hauck Polymer D Flute

Despite its plain looks, the tone is classic, open and big, with a solid, vibrant low end and a strong bottom D that holds up in a session. Response is easy and the intonation is excellent. This makes an excellent travel instrument; about the only places it does not belong are a hot car and the dishwasher.

The body is fully tapered, in the manner of the 19th century flutes the Irish flute descends from. Modern orchestral flutes taper in the head joint instead, and a flute cylindrical in both head and body will play flat in the second octave. The taper gives proper octave correction and the complex, traditional tone that comes with it, and it is why this flute punches so far above its weight: it simply plays the way an Irish flute should.

Finding a tapered-bore flute at this price is a challenge indeed. That is the design's whole intent. Randal set out to build a flute with all the right physics behind it, constructed in a way that stays within reach of a player just testing the waters and learning the Irish flute.

Construction is robust, built from schedule 80 PVC with its heavier wall. The tuning slide is brass tubing rather than plastic, with the head joint formed over it, sliding firmly and smoothly into the left-hand body section for a good seal. There is no cork to wear out and no thread to re-wind. The embouchure hole is of the rounded rectangle type.

I really enjoy playing Randal Hauck's composite flute. It blows freely, easily and is quite responsive. It has a solid sound with a strong, vibrant low end; that includes a meaty low D. The sound is full and consistent throughout the entire range. Intonation is good and very comparable to flutes of similar design. Construction seems very durable and very well manufactured. It's a great second instrument, very affordable. It can be taken anywhere without regard to temperature or humidity, which can have a detrimental effect on wooden flutes. Thanks Randal!

- Indianapolis Ceili Band Director, Director of the Irish Arts Academy of Indianapolis

About the Maker

Randal Hauck builds his flutes by hand in Baltimore, Maryland. His flutes have become one of the oft-recommended first flutes in Irish music.