The Ancient Territories Backpackers flute is a quality instrument made of select hardwood. It employees the same type of sound generating mechanism used on the Craftsman flute, the Collectors flute and the Signature Series flute. That is, the flue is cut into the body of the flute rather than into the bird. This ensures a more direct focusing of the air against the fipple or splitting edge of the flute. Also, the tone hole layout allows for two pentatonic scales and cross fingered notes. Therefore, this flute produces essentially the same sound quality as the higher priced flutes. This is a relatively inexpensive, no nonsense instrument.
The Backpacker flute is made of a single wood species rather than multiple woods. It has a simple, low profile, contrasting wood bird on top of the flute. As with the other types of Native American style flutes that I make the bird is secured with a select quality buckskin thong and a bead of natural, grade ‘A’ turquoise. The Backpacker flute has a coat of polyurethane varnish on the interior surfaces and two coats on the exterior surface. It is sanded between coats to produce a smooth, even semi gloss finish.
The basic shape of the flute is the same as the higher priced models. But, in order to make the Backpacker flute affordable, I must devote less time to the shaping and finishing processes. This does not means that this is a crude flute. On the contrary, it is a quality musical instrument not a cheap beginners flute.
The Backpacker is a Native American style flute for those who do not yet feel ready to invest the extra money in a more elaborate instrument. Because of its strong construction it is suitable for sticking in your backpack when you don’t want to risk one of your more precious flutes. With the Backpacker flute you will be purchasing a quality instrument capable of producing a pure, in tune pentatonic scale of strong volume.
