Polyglobular/Ball & Tube flutes
Polyglobular water flutes, 2 balls (globes,) 2 tubes; the red clay ones are fairly recent; my older one in the video below is in the back. Water flutes use chance and skill in play, the chance comes from the movement of the water, the skill from changes in air pressure and movement control. Because of the nature of this flute, playing becomes a performance piece. The long red flute with blue engobe has been sold.
The three smaller water flutes are available. Their sounds are also wonderful.
Front small flute is 3"H X 8"W X 1.5"D, & warbles higher
Large water flute: 6"H X 21.5W X 3"D
This water flute design grew out of my studies of ancient prehispanic flutes. Being handmade, each is very different, yet they all work similarly.
I have widely taught others how to make and play flutes including water flutes.
Polyglobular ball & tube flutes were inspired by the small prehispanic flutes found in the middens of many prehispanic cultures. (see the research page for a picture.) These are literally balls & tubes; the irregular inner shapes make irregular overtones or harmonics. The small one in the upper right & below works pretty well; I love the great deep tones of the two bigger ones.
More trials; the black one worked pretty well & has been sold. All the elements: the size of balls plus the length of tubes & in what order, must all work together, to create the maximum number of sounds.
