Testimonials
The following are testimonials from owners of Martin Doyle flutes.
(More testimonials may be viewed on these pages: Testimonials Part 2 and Testimonials Part 3.)
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.”
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.”
Cathal McConnell is a singer, whistle and flute player from the north of Ireland. He is a founding member of the Boys of the Lough — a traditional music group that Cathal formed in 1967 with Robin Morton and Tommy Gunn. His latest album (the first since 1978) is Long Expectant Comes at Last.
“I would heartily recommend Martin Doyle as a flute maker. It's as simple as that!”
Elizabeth Petcu — retired Principal Flute of the RTE Concert Orchestra of Ireland (Elizabeth was with the RTE for over 25 years) — had the following to say about Martin Doyle's wooden headjoints for western concert flutes:
“I have been playing on Martin Doyle's cocus wood headjoint for many years now. I may even have had the honour of playing on the prototype. The page here would not be roomy enough for me to express how much I love it. All I can say is that it always lures me into playing well.”
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!”
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh — the lead singer and flute player with the traditional Irish music group Danú, and a tutor at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Muireann hails from Dún Chaoin in County Kerry, Ireland.
Listen: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh. View: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Singer from Danú.
“I have been playing a Martin Doyle African Blackwood 'D' flute since 2001. As a touring musician I am delighted with its reliability and consistensy of tone, no matter where I am in the world. The flute is perfectly in tune which is very important when playing in a band context. I also love the fact that it can produce a variety of sounds from a powerful bark to a sweeter, clearer tone, making it a very expressive instrument and suitable for all kinds of music from wild Kerry Polkas to more subtle slow airs. I always recommend Martin’s flutes to my flute students.”
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 excellent 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 loads 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
Eimear McGeown — Classical & Irish flautist from County Armagh, Northern Ireland:
“I bought my Martin Doyle flute about a year ago and I absolutely love it. The sound is so rich and warm and instantly responsive. I bought it from All Flutes Plus in London and I wasn't even planning on buying a new flute as I was more than happy with my other one. But when I tried it, I had to have it! It has such a big beefy tone which I love. I have the Traditional style flute, keyless and without tuning slide and I would recommend it to everyone including beginners as it is such a responsive flute and also at a really great price.”
David Levine — flute player and traditional musician from County 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.”
Tomás MacUileagóid — flute and fiddle player and harp maker from Dublin, Ireland:
“Hi Martin, I have thought a lot about writing to you since I got my keyed flute from you. I wanted to really feel my way into it and explore what it has to offer. I am astounded by the range of colour available, just waiting for me to exploit it. The tones available far exceed what I could get on the flute I got off you 10 years ago. I wanted the keys because I have a particular interest in the music of east Galway, Paddy Kelly and Paddy Fahey in particular, and you can’t really manage that without the F natural. Obviously since I have a keyed flute I notice other flutes much more, and I am continuously impressed by your standard of craftsmanship, and I understand how difficult it is to maintain such a high standard. Well done!! I don’t know what motivates you as an instrument maker, but I enjoy being able to create something that is unique with its own voice, that will hopefully live long after me and in some small way contribute to making the world a better place. I think you have already achieved this. Thank you.” (Contact Tomás MacUileagóid)
Mary — 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!”
Related Pages:
- Comments from The Session: Discussions — comments on Martin Doyle flutes from The Session.
- Comments from the Chiff & Fipple Flute Forum — comments on Martin Doyle flutes from Chiff & Fipple.
- Fleadh Cheoil Results — results from the Irish Fleadh Cheoil competitions that feature Martin Doyle flutes.
If you would like to add a testimonial to these pages, kindly contact Martin Doyle.