Testimonials Part 2
The following are testimonials from owners of Martin Doyle flutes.
(More testimonials can be found on these pages: Testimonials and Testimonials Part 3.)
Premik Russell Tubbs — flautist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and producer from NY, USA:
Regarding his Martin Doyle keyless celtic style D flute in African blackwood without a tuning slide, Premik enthusiastically stated, “I love, I love, I love my Martin Doyle flute!!!”
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!”
Shardul — flute player from Auckland, New Zealand:
“There are many flute makers in the world and among them, some really good ones. Martin Doyle has invested much time and energy studying and developing his craft as a flute maker since the 1980's. Martin has an innate love for music, great skill as a trained mechanical engineer and a real sense of perfection. His flutes strongly reflect these qualities and, in my humble opinion, are among the best available today.
I have been playing Martin Doyle's flutes since 2001 and currently have two; a three keyed D flat in African Blackwood and a keyless D in boxwood; both without tuning slides. While there is quite a difference in the tonality and personality of these flutes, their similarities are clarity of tone, great tuning and amazing responsiveness. They are also beautifully finished. Whether I am playing music in gentle or dynamic mode, these flutes offer everything I need and much more... I am always finding new and interesting expression and possibilities. Indeed, Martin Doyle's motto, 'ease of playing — quality of tone', is no empty brag but a solid reality! Thank you Martin — the world of flute music, Irish traditional or otherwise, is the richer for your efforts...”
Paul McCarthy — ‘flute player for the fun of it’ from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland:
“Having played other flutes (mainly African blackwood with headliner) and been dissatisfied with their somewhat capricious nature, I started searching for an instrument which did not have these flaws. After scratching around the country on and off for months and visiting several well respected flute makers, I failed to find what I was looking for. Maybe it was me and not the flutes but I found them very unacceptably fickle. Eventually in the autumn of 2005 I found myself in a snug workshop in Bray talking with a very relaxed and affable flute maker who invited me to sit into the corner and try any flute I could find. There were several on a rack on the table next to me so I started with the one closest to me and worked my way along about 7 or 8 of them. Being of a methodical nature, I played the same tune (a slip jig called A Fig For A Kiss) on each of them to better judge their performance. All were sweet toned, balanced and uncapricious. Then my eye lit on it. A nice looking Cocuswood, unkeyed, unlined flute at the end of the rack. The feeling I got on playing those first few notes I can still recall. Absolutely gorgeous tone, weight and balance, not a hint of fickleness and with that lovely soft, mellow reverberation which comes with good tone. Low D? No problem. Another fifteen minutes playing passed interspersed with question and answers with Martin. The decision to buy this particular flute was not made by me nor by Martin but by the flute. This thing of beauty is of the rare sort and gives massive enjoyment. Thanks are not enough Martin Doyle!”
John Wood — flute player from London, England:
“Hello Martin, I just wanted to thank you for making such a sweet and singing piece of Blackwood! I bought a keyless (no tuning slide) traditional style Blackwood flute at All Flutes Plus just three days ago and I cannot believe that I can finally play the Irish flute... (well starting to anyway). I have been playing the Uilleann Pipes and whistle and a wooden Boehm-system flute for years, but everytime I would try the "Irish" flute I would hide it back in the sock drawer after half an hour and there it would stay for another 3 or 4 months. Evertime I tried it I would end up exhausted and irritated beyond words... Why could I not sound like everyone else I heard playing this *&^%$^ thing. Now I pick up your flute and everyday it is playing easier, sweeter, stronger! Amazing! There are so many choices out there but believe me, I made the right choice when I bought a Martin Doyle flute.”
Dora Apatini — flute player from Hungary:
“When Martin first came to Hungary, I had the opportunity to try one of his flutes and it was flute-love at first sight. They are so beautiful, with such wonderful tone! I think that when Martin makes these flutes, he gives not just his knowledge and know-how, but his spirit too! That is what I feel every time I have my flute in my hands.”
Ken Doyle — flute player from Texas, USA:
“[...] The flute (Doyle ‘traditional style’ in African Blackwood) was delivered this morning. It looks and sounds beautiful. It’s an added bonus that it has my name so prominently stamped on the front. :-) Thanks for the excellent service.”
Karen Reid — flute player from Arrowtown, New Zealand:
“Thank you very much for the fantastic flute. (Traditional style keyless flute in Cocus wood) I have never enjoyed playing as much as I do now. The tone is lovely, rich and strong. I have also found it very easy to play compared to my old flute. It’s a truly beautiful instrument. Thanks also for being so very helpful and great to deal with.”
Simon Reedman — flute player from Auckland, New Zealand:
“The instrument (Traditional style keyless flute in African Blackwood with tuning slide) is developing a nice tone, which is improving with age, so imagine 20 years hence! As for the quality - very pleasing and well made.”
Pietro Berlanda — flute player from Bolzano, Italy:
“The sound is wonderful, enchanting and the instrument is marvellous! I'm really happy to play one of your flutes and to have met you.”
Yusuke Usuda — flute player from Kanagawa, Japan:
“I am very pleased with the two flutes Martin! I played the D flute for the set dancing with my friends last Saturday evening. I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent responses and the great capacity of the tone colours. For me, these flutes are saikou — the best!”
David Thompson — flute player and member of The Belfast and District Set Dancing and Traditional Music Society
from Bangor, Northern Ireland:
“The Celtic style flute without tuning slide is the most satisfying flute I've ever played. It has a crisp and full low register — the low D really honks! I love the simplicity of this flutes appearance, yet the tone I can get out of it is truly awe inspiring and it's always in tune. This is 'flute minimalism' at it's finest!”
Sarah Helleur — flute player and teacher from Christchurch, New Zealand:
“My Martin Doyle flute is BEAUTIFUL!! It looks great, sounds amazing and I love it. (Celtic style flute in New Zealand Pohutukawa wood). As a concert flute player I was a bit sceptical as to if I could play it and what to play on it but I am doing well. The tone is so different from a conventional metal flute and it is lovely to play for a change — Irish music sounds so much better on a wooden flute. My students are fascinated by it!! Thanks for all your help in getting the right instrument for me. And it is great to own such a fine instrument made of New Zealand native timber!!”
Michel Feuerbach — flute player from France.
“I have received the flute (Celtic style flute in New Zealand Pohutukawa wood) last week but I had too many work to try it successfully and in a sufficient domestical comfort. First of all, the wood is wonderfull and very delicate. It sounds really good and equal deepness and also simplicity. I am here now with my very first impressions and I will tell you more with my better and progressive “maestria” of the instrument.”
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.