Several years ago, in a bookstore that no longer exists, I found a wonderful book.  “The Ukulele as a Solo Instrument, C Notation: A Collection of Ukulele Solos” by N.B. Bailey and Keoki E. Awai with its 1916 copyright was an expensive purchase.  But 99 years ago, the book was only $1.00 US. I scanned a few songs from […]

Several years ago, in a bookstore that no longer exists, I found a wonderful book.  “The Ukulele as a Solo Instrument, C Notation: A Collection of Ukulele Solos” by N.B. Bailey and Keoki E. Awai with its 1916 copyright was an expensive purchase.  But 99 years ago, the book was only $1.00 US. I scanned a few songs from […]

This slideshow requires JavaScript. I’ve been exploring the combination of color and texture with the clarity of sound with my Night Song Flutes, which I’ll be selling at the Art Festival at Thornebrook this weekend, Oct. 10-11. Using carvings and pyrography (woodburning), I’ve created the look of hieroglyphics and have added to the look with Tiger […]

I enjoy carving green wood into wooden spoons using an axe and knife. The first batch of spoons I carved were from  horse chestnut.  It was such an enjoyable experience and I really liked that the whole operation was portable.  I could take the axe and knife with me and carve “on the road,” so-to-speak.  When making flutes […]

Native American Style Flute Players at the Leesburg, FL gathering. March, 2018 In the past year and a half, I became smitten by urban sketching. I joined the global urban sketching community. My preferred mode of drawing: watercolor, pen and ink. I like urban sketching because it’s philosophy is inclusive not exclusive when it comes […]

I enjoy carving green wood into wooden spoons using an axe and knife. The first batch of spoons I carved were from  horse chestnut.  It was such an enjoyable experience and I really liked that the whole operation was portable.  I could take the axe and knife with me and carve “on the road,” so-to-speak.  When making flutes […]

Music for the Ukulele is available through my Etsy store.   If you have been visiting GospelUkulele or Ukulele Perspective, I am no longer posting to those blogs. But I have left them up because there are so many followers.  I have linked to some of the music for the ukulele and Native American flute below.  Unless otherwise specified all […]

Several sopranino kanteles in development The kantele complements the Native American flute wonderfully. These are delightful instruments and easy to learn to play.  They may take some time like the ukulele and Native American style flute to learn to play well. The kanteles I make are 5-string versions.  My favorite of the three kanteles I […]

I enjoy carving green wood into wooden spoons using an axe and knife. The first batch of spoons I carved were from  horse chestnut.  It was such an enjoyable experience and I really liked that the whole operation was portable.  I could take the axe and knife with me and carve “on the road,” so-to-speak.  When making flutes […]

People have asked me how I decided to make both Native American style flutes and kanteles.  The answer: these instruments had such appealing sounds that I needed to have one to play myself.  After making one for myself, I needed to share the joy of playing easy-to-learn instruments. The 5-string kantele is considerably easier both to play […]

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is on tour in the United States in April.  They’re headed to Florida. For many years, I have enjoyed what this group of musicians has done for the ukulele.   Particularly when I was first learning the ukulele, they were an inspiration. For a few years, I made cigar […]

One of the greatest joys of my new career as a musical instrument maker comes when I hear back from those who play one of my instruments.  Sometimes the feedback is immediate; sometimes I can see all the feedback I need in the face of someone who is playing one of my instruments. Recently, I was […]

Checking out the photographer If you ever have had the opportunity to watch ravens in the wild, you know you’re in for a treat.  They have a real sense of play when they’re in the air — sometimes turning air somersaults, sometimes careening swiftly, sometimes rolling over sideways while still flying. The raven often cast as a mischievous […]

What sparks your creativity? One source of creativity for me is a visit to Satchel’s Pizza – and, of course, having a Satchel’s pizza. The wall paintings, the mosaic floor tiles, the hanging decorations are an array of color and pattern. The visual creativity designed by Satchel and his employees promotes my own creative thinking. […]