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The Outback Sax is a unique combination of a flute and saxophone, carefully crafted from Australian hardwood. Its rich and mellow tone is enhanced by the use of a conventional alto sax reed.
Each sax is hand carved and made from recycled Australian timbers, restoring the wood's spirit.
The outback landscape is the inspiration for this uniquely Australian instrument which reflects the simplicity of our sunburnt country in both its design and ease of play.
Whether a musician or just someone who loves the emotive tones of the traditional saxophone, with a few simple steps you'll be playing to your heart's content.
Playing Soul Songs
The Outback Sax is best suited for playing expressive music from the heart. Find a quiet place in nature, close your eyes and play, after awhile it will feel as if the sax is playing itself, this is your Soul Song. The melodies will grow on you as you compose your own music.
Aligning the Reed & Care
The outback sax uses a traditional alto saxophone reed which can be purchased from any music store. The reed is made of finely shaped bamboo that comes in a range of 'strengths' ranging from 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2 and 3 and over for the experts. When you begin playing your sax you will probably need to start with a softer reed, perhaps somewhere from 1 to 2. The reed is very fragile and can chip and split easily so care must be taken with it when your sax is not in use - keeping it in the plastic cover it comes in is a good idea.
Place the reed underneath the leather strap so that it lines up with the top of the mouthpiece area, making sure it is centered and that the leather is pushed down to where the bamboo is smooth. Sometimes if the leather is not holding the reed correctly no sound will come out, so positioning it correctly is quite important.
Reed included.
How to Choose a Native Flute
RIGHT SIZE
The most important thing when choosing a flute is to get one that is suitable for your hand size. A flute in the key of A or G is a good size for most people.
The hand sizes for flutes overlaps a little.
Our general recommendation is: From the smallest flute up to G is suitable for small hands. From A up to Low C is suitable for medium hands.
From F# or E up to the largest flutes is suitable for large hands.
KEY
The larger the flute the deeper the tones. The smaller the flute and the tone will be higher, as they are in a higher octave.
If you're playing on your own you can play any key, it only matters if you are playing with other musicians as you would usually want to play in the same key.
The most common keys for Native American flutes are A, G, and F#. The key of A or A minor is particularly popular for beginners as it is a good, manageable size and medium sound.
WOOD TYPE
The type of wood influences the sound quality. Cedar / Red Cedar are known for a warm, mellow tone and are great for beginners as they can be played for very long periods of time without wetting out. Cedar is a soft wood and is often used in saunas as it contains natural oils that make it resistant to moisture and decay. Harder woods can only be played for shorter times as they will wet out. The harder wood flutes often produce a brighter, sharper sound.
Native Flute Care + Maintenance
Like most wooden instruments Native Flutes are fragile and need to be cared for in order to keep their quality of sound and appearance. Following these simple and basic instructions will help to ensure you have a flute that will play to your delight for years to come.
Here are some tips and advice to care and maintain your flute.
Moisture
It is recommended to limit playing time to 20-30 minutes per day as this helps prevent over-saturation with moisture from your breath.
Leave the flute to dry naturally. Do not use any heat or drying equipment as this can cause the wood to crack if dried too quickly
Always ensure your flute is dry before storing it in a flute bag to avoid the growth of bacteria and mould. The exact time needed will depend on the humidity in your area, but 2 to 3 hours is usually sufficient.
Storage
Avoid storing your flute in direct sunlight or in a hot car. A flute left in the sun or in a hot environment runs the risk of cracking. Best to keep your flute at room temperature.
Waxing
These beautiful flutes are finished with wax. We only recommend wax as oil will sit on wax. The maker uses Danish Wax, a type of furniture wax, but you could also use Bees Wax. It's recommended to recoat your flute with wax at least once per year to help keep a protective layer on the timber which protects it from the elements, changes in temperature and humidity.
Hand-made right here in South East Queensland, Australia, these flutes are crafted by a local artisan who's been perfecting his skills for over 12 years. He honed his skills as an apprentice to a renowned flute maker from the USA and has kept up the tradition ever since. Each flute is made with care and attention to detail, reflecting his deep passion and dedication to this age-old craft.
Materials
Each flute is unique and the maker often draws inspiration from the beauty of Australian timbers including Camphor Laurel, Myrtle, Australian Red Cedar and Rosewood.
Vintage and recycled timbers are often repurposed from antique furniture and timber pieces into these timeless flutes including silky oak, walnut, cherry and white cedar.... to name a few.
See product description on each flute for specific timber type.
Please note natural variations in the timber and mouthpieces will occur in these flutes. They are handmade from a vintage timber and is what makes each one special and unique :)
Pairs well with
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We are here to create more happiness in the world. So if your shopping experience or the products ordered are not doing it for you, please get in touch or check out our returns policy here.
