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Johnny Kee Performer Series Flutes are the latest Native American
Style Flutes from Turtle Mound Flutes.
They are the same high quality flutes that we have been making since '06, but
without the animal theme artwork and carved fetish. This allows us to offer them
to you at a significantly reduced cost. They are made along side our themed
flutes, usually in the same batches, with the same craftsmanship and attention
to detail in everything from tuning to finish. These flutes are suitable for
performers to play on stage or in the studio. They are not lesser quality
"student" or "beginner" flutes.
Why we make Johnny Kee Performer Series Flutes...
 When my alter-ego, Johnny Kee,
began doing CD recordings, it created a whole new world of arrangement
creativity. Live solo performances were restricted to vocal solos, an
accompanying guitar, and flute solos played over short segments of my
prerecorded guitar from a "looper." In my studio, I quickly discovered
I was free to add vocal harmonies, multiple accompanying instruments, and to
create flute duets. Songs I had been playing for years were transposed to new
keys to suit two voices in harmony, meaning flutes in new keys were needed in
addition to flutes for the harmony parts of the duets. So, what does a flute
maker do when he needs new flutes in different keys? Of course, he makes them.
But I was only interested in studio quality flutes for their sound, and not for
attractive artwork. Thus, I began to add the forerunners of my "performer
series" flutes to my personal collection. These were my "normal"
flutes but
without the artwork.
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From the earliest years of Turtle Mound Flutes,
we chose to focus on making flutes that not only played and sounded great, but
also had animal-themed artwork and carvings. This made them easy to distinguish
from all the other flutes out there. Of course, adding the pyrographic and paint
artwork, the crushed stone and shell inlay, and the carved animal fetish added
considerable time to the construction of the flute, and hence their cost. From
time to time people would play my flutes but recoil at the cost and ask if I had
a less expensive version. Sometime in early 2019 I began considering making flutes
along the same line as those I made for my recordings, and calling them my
"Performer Series" flutes. When I shared the idea with some flute playing friends,
there was immediate interest. The first few I made quickly sold. That was enough
to convince me to add them to my regular offerings. This is how the Johnny
Kee Performer Series was born, out of the flutes that were made for
Johnny Kee's recordings. |
So, what is a Johnny Kee Performer Series Flute?
A Johnny Kee Performer Series flute is a basic studio/stage
quality flute without the distinguishing artwork and carvings normally
associated with flutes from Turtle Mound Flutes.
It has the following characteristics.
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| At least initially, all Performer
Series flutes will be made from eastern red cedar. If you'd like
a different wood, just ask. |
The "block" will be a
"traditional bird" design, made with two contrasting color
woods. |
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| Near the mouthpiece, each flute will have a
small "dot" inlay of crushed stone or shell, such as
turquoise, blue lapis, malachite, abalone, etc. |
Just below the lowest playing hole will be
a pyrographic Johnny Kee "signature logo". |
So, what does a Johnny Kee Performer Series Flute cost?
A Johnny Kee Performer Series flute will cost about $100 less
than the equivalent flute with the artwork and carvings. The current prices are:
| Key |
Price |
| B, Bb, A, Ab |
$250 |
| G, F# |
$275 |
| F, E, Eb, D |
$300 |
| C#, C, B |
$350 |
Call or e-mail for current inventory.
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