Testimonials
The following are kind comments from owners of Martin Doyle flutes.
Ronan Browne — piper, fluter and composer from Conamara, Ireland:
“The unlined timber head-joint (of Martin Doyle’s flutes) with no metal tuning slide gives the flute a dynamic range which I have only ever experienced on all-timber Rudall and Rose flutes. I find that this flute allows huge possibilities for expression when playing both rhythmic dance music and slow airs. [...] I hope many more people around the world will end up playing Martin’s flutes. He is my personal favourite modern flute maker and general guru. I changed from a top of the range 150-year-old Besson flute to one of Martin’s Celtic style flutes, which I much prefer. I only ever use the old one when I need to use keys, which is very rarely!”
Desi Wilkinson — flute player, musician and ethnomusicologist from Belfast, Ireland:
“I have been playing my Martin Doyle flute for some years now and have to say that it resonates with a warmth akin to the glowing embers of a luxuriant turf fire. All his instruments are very responsive and I am constantly amazed at their unerring consistency. In addition Martin is always ready to offer advice on all matters relating to getting the best out of his instruments. He is a genuine and knowledgeable person with a burning passion for his craft.”
Margie Mulvihill — Irish born flute and whistle player and teacher from Pearl River, NY, USA:
“Martin Doyle’s flutes are the absolute best value you are going to get. I have many students playing his flutes and were it not for the reasonable price many of these students would not have the chance to own their own flutes. The only complaint I have with the flute is that everywhere I go to play other flute players are taking it off me and are reluctant to give it back. No one can believe how little I paid for the flute. The tone and volume are amazing. I was lazy to learn the flute after 20 years of whistle playing I’d tried several times and gave up (too hard not enough time I thought) when I got a Doyle it felt much easier to play so I finally stuck with it. Martin is the man!”
Gerry O’Donnell — flute player and musician/recorder/producer from Co. Wicklow, Ireland:
“Martin’s work has set the standard for all flute making in this part of the world. He is a musician with an intuitive understanding of the mechanics of the flute. As a regular visitor to his workshop in Bray, I can honestly say that I am constantly amazed at Martin’s level of craftsmanship, his knowledge of the instrument and of the multiple skills he has acquired in flute making. The absolute attention to detail he brings to each and every instrument is amazing. As an experienced player I have collected many flutes over the years but I now only play flutes in Cocus and Blackwood from Martin. I recommend Martin’s flutes to all my students at all levels, as the tone, the tuning and ease of note production enables, especially complete beginners, to advance quickly. I believe Martin’s flutes can bring a lot of pleasure to the world.”
David Levine — flute player and traditional musician from Co. Clare, Ireland:
“Martin Doyle’s flutes have a wonderful sound: clear and reedy at the same time. The finish of the flute is perfect, both inside and out. Few makers spend as much time on the finish of the bore as Martin does. His flutes are like glass inside. This means that beads of condensate tend to roll out instead of staying in the bore. The outside is clean and polished and is a joy to hold as well as to play. The flutes have good volume, are in excellent tune with themselves, and project beautifully in the loudest session. Most other flute-makers copy a nineteenth century flute. Martin’s flute design is his own and is unlike any other. They are in a category of their own and are appreciated by the most discriminating players, beginner or expert.”
Brother Seamus Byrne — Celtic musician and singer from Co. Wicklow, Ireland:
“I have a Boxwood D flute made by Martin Doyle. It sounds incredibly beautiful. I’ve heard other people play more expensive flutes but they don’t sound half as good! And even their owners are amazed at the sound I get out of the Boxwood flute. No doubt, Martin is a genius!”
Mary (aka: Whistlin'Dixie) — flute and whistle player from Texas, USA:
“I have owned many flutes over the years, but my beautiful blackwood Doyle flute is truely one of my favorites. It is lovely to look at, with gorgeous embossed silver rings, a wood-clad tuning slide, and a mirror finish inside and out. The tone holes fall perfectly under my fingers, and the unlined head keeps the flute light and well balanced in the hand, as well as lending that special "woody" tone that I love. The tuning is among the best of all my flutes. Raucous, driving reels, sweet gentle aires, or spirited jigs all sound wonderful on this flute. Cheers to Martin Doyle, his flutes are amazing!”
Isao 'Paddy' Moriyasu — flute player, writer and translator of books about Irish music, dance and culture from Tokyo, Japan:
“Martin is a great friend of mine. He's not only an excllent flute maker but also (believe it or not) a master of the Japanese martial art of Aikido !! He regularly visits Japan for intensive Aikido training. I started working on a recording project called 'The Complete Works of Turlough O'Carolan' in 2007 — 7 CDs in all and have already finished recording 3 of them so far. I've decided to use Martin's D and C flutes for the recording as his instruments always give me laods of inspiration and freedom. With his lovely flutes, I can explore a whole new world of Carolan music. Thanks Martin !! Looking forward to playing some tunes with you in Tokyo.” View: CD review
Shardul — flute player from Auckland, New Zealand:
“There are many flute makers in the world and among them, some really good ones. I have chosen to play, promote and sell the simple system wooden flutes made by my friend Martin Doyle of County Clare in Ireland. Martin has invested much time and energy studying and developing his craft as a flute maker since the early 1980's. Growing up with Irish traditional music in his family and community, he has an innate love for music, great skill as a trained mechanical engineer, a real sense of perfection and a progressive attitude in life. Martin Doyle's flutes strongly reflect these qualities and, in my humble opinion, are among the best available today.”
Premik Russell Tubbs — flautist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and producer from NY, USA:
(Commenting on his keyless 'Celtic style' flute in African blackwood without a tuning slide...) “I love, I love, I love my Martin Doyle flute!!!”
More Testimonials:
- Testimonials 2 — a second page of testimonials.
- Forum Comments
- Fleadh Cheoil Results
- KiwiCelt Wooden Flutes Testimonials
If you would like to add a testimonial to this page, kindly contact the webmaster.