Tag Archives: kind

Kind Words From Our Customers

Martin Doyle Flutes – 35 Years2018 marks the 35th year that Martin Doyle has been producing simple system wooden flutes (aka Irish flutes) – 35 years of focus and effort that have bought great joy to musicians of all ages and grades throughout the world and a great deal of satisfaction for Martin himself no doubt.

For Martin and the small team of people who assist him, it is always encouraging to get positive feedback from the people who purchase his flutes. Martin has recently received three very kind comments from grateful customers and we at Martin Doyle Flutes would like to share them with you.

The first is from a self-admitting “proud mother” in the beautiful County Waterford where, as the Waterford comedian Hal Roach used to say, “all the lovely crystal is made”. The second is from a novice fluter who resides in Dublin town and enjoys anonymity for reasons unknown but respected, and the third is from Sligo flute player Seamus Hernon. First, our proud mother:

Hi Martin,

I just want to thank you for your beautiful flute which we got from you a year and a half ago. Just to let you know my daughter Eve, who was 11 last month, won the under 12s flute reel and jig, the under 12s slow air on the flute, and the same two competitions on her whistle. Also her group cheoil won, so a cup and 5 gold medals her first time in the Waterford fleadh was a great result. Also she won a scholarship yesterday in her Comhaltas branch for flute and whistle. TG4 were there to capture the moment.
What a proud mother I am!

Regards,
Marcella.

From the novice fluter of anonymity:

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Recent Additions: Testimonials & Responsive Template

Update ThumbnailMartin Doyle Flutes recently received two testimonial comments from customers and his website has had a facelift in the form of a resposive template.

Two New Testimonials

Martin Doyle has recently received two very glowing and kind testimonials for his flute making efforts. The first testimonial is from Irish flute player Mike Kenneally of County Galway:

I love the flute, Martin. Maybe I should say what it is I like about it. Well, first of all it vibrates very freely without much effort of blowing. It is finely in tune with itself and the tone is rich and smooth. The keyed notes have a clarity and strength that I have not encountered before, and I think that ending the flute at the low D makes all the difference to that note. Another good point that I have noticed is that it is very easy to do breath vibrato on it. So all in all a job very well done. Congratulations. I can perhaps, appreciate more than most the work that went into making such a superior instrument, because I do a bit of woodturning myself.

The second testimonial is from German flute player Stefan Thamm of Freiburg:

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Kind Words And Delightful Tunes

Included in recent additions to Martin Doyle Flutes is a very kind testimonial from Cathal McConnell and two delightful tunes from Ronan Browne.

Kind Words

Martin Doyle and Cathal McConnellThe following words are from the generous heart of Cathal McConnell:

“My friend, flute maker and flute player extraordinaire, Martin Doyle made my B-flat and C flutes, both of which are a complete joy to play! On a recent visit he also gave my ageing Rudall and Rose a much-needed and thorough overhaul. Its cork had been there 150 years!!! A heartfelt thank you Martin, for your craftsmanship as well as your kindness.”

More comments from flute players all over the world can be viewed here: Testimonials »

Delightful Tunes

Ronan Bowne

The two tunes that Ronan Browne has offered, Planxty Irwin (jig) and Hector the Hero (waltz), that are both being played on a Martin Doyle D flute made of Cocus wood.

They can be heard here: Ronan Browne – Flute Music »

Ronan can also be seen playing tunes here: Video Clips »

Our gratitude to Ronan and Cathal for their generous contributions and kind support.

Rob Portnoy Comments On MDF Headjoint

Rob Portnoy

Rob Portnoy

Rob Portnoy is a renowned multi-woodwind performer, clinician and teacher who has worked with a plethora of superstar singers, musicians and performers including Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Aretha Franklin, Wayne Newton, Nancy Wilson, Don Sebasky, Mickey Rooney, Red Skelton, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole and Sarah Vaughn.

Rob had the following to say about a wooden headjoint that he recently commissioned Martin Doyle to make for his concert flute:

Hi Martin,
I just wanted to thank you for the phenomenal work you did in creating my new headjoint. I recently played it on the show “Beauty and The Beast” and received many compliments on my “sweet” sound. The combination of my Altus Limited and your Blackwood Headjoint allow me a warmth that neither of my metal headjoints provide and enable me to play all octaves with a solid, centered sound which articulates quickly and doesn’t break up when pushed! I will surely endorse your craftsmanship so more flutists can experience the wonderful qualities of a Martin Doyle headjoint!
Best wishes,
Rob Portnoy.

Martin Doyle’s web page about the wooden headjoints he makes for concert flutes can be viewed here: Wooden Headjoints for Concert Flutes »

Kind Words From Matthew Laurie

Matthew Laurie

Matthew Laurie

As mentioned in previous posts, Martin Doyle sometimes receives messages from people who have purchased flutes from him and write to compliment and thank him for his efforts. These kind comments are sometimes posted on Martin’s website, with the permission of the authors, and Martin recently received a very nice comment from Matthew Laurie – a community musician and storyteller from Derbyshire in England. These are Matthew’s kind words:

Hi Martin,
The flute [boxwood Celtic style flute] arrived today and I am in love! It is simply stunning and is far and away the finest flute that I have played and owned. I am amazed at the expressive range that I can achieve even on the first day of playing it. This flute will inspire me to play and practice more – I am very happy indeed. Thank you!

Some two weeks later Matthew commented to this webmaster that the flute had indeed inspired and helped him to practice more and to play at a higher level. I mentioned this to Martin Doyle who made the following comment:

Well for me the whole point of this flute making game is to make flutes that bring the players on – that’s my intention. Otherwise there would be no point in doing it.

Fair play to you Martin.

Matthew’s kind words and those of many other flute players can be viewed here: Testimonials »

New Testimonials Received

Thumbs Up!I am sure that it is always very encouraging for any craftsman to receive some positive feedback from his clients. After all, most instrument makers spend many hours of each week alone in their workshops labouring to create something that they hope will please the person they are making it for – and in the case of a musical instrument, those who listen to it being played. So when a happy client offers a positive comment, it is always very satisfying, encouraging and brings great joy to the recipient. Two such comments have recently been added to Martin Doyle’s website from happy clients in America.

Amanda Drinsinger — flute player from the USA

“I received the flute early last week. It sounds rich and beautiful and it is very beautiful and of excellent craftsmanship! I am extremely pleased with your work and I think you are the world’s best celtic flute craftsman! I have not played or seen in person any other instrument that matches the sound, beauty and quality put into this flute!”

Ruth Yates — flute player from Hollywood, Maryland, USA

“Hi Martin. I just wanted to tell you that the rosewood flute I purchased from you in October [2009] is so lovely. I found it very easy to play and the tone is so mellow and nice. Don and I really liked coming to your home and seeing your workshop and picking up the flute. It was such a genuinely good experience meeting you and seeing how the instruments come together. Regards, Ruth Yates.”

More comments from flute players all over the world can be viewed here: Testimonials »

Testimonial From Tomás MacUileagóid

Website Updates

Tomás MacUileagóid, a flute player, fiddler and harp maker from Dublin, Ireland, has kindly sent Martin Doyle a testimonial which has been added to Martin’s website. Tomás recently purchased a keyed flute from Martin Doyle.

“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.
Regards,
Tomás.”

Very thoughtful and insightful words from a fellow instrument maker — thank you for your kind and encouraging comments Tomás.

More Testimonials

Testimonials from flute players all over the world can be viewed here: Testimonials »