There are three reasons that I make my Native American style flutes with flattened tops. First, I find (as do others) that the flattened area on the top of the flute makes the flute easier to play because it is easier to get the holes completely covered. This is especially true for beginners. Second, with the flattened top on a Love flute it is easier for more advanced players to half hole notes and to slide notes up and down. Third, I like the shape it gives the flute and the extra wood thickness on the outside edges gives the flute added physical strength without affecting tonal quality.