This is my 30th year making wooden flutes!!!

Mopane Flute Price Change: Note that I have raised my Mopane flute prices. These are now the same price as Blackwood and Boxwood flutes.(April 6, 2011)

Older News Items, some updated...

Grey Larsen and Cindy Kallet's new CD "Cross the Water" is now released! You may order the CD, and downloads of the individual tracks, at their website where you may also listen, for free, to all of the music. A few of the tracks feature Grey playing the low A flute that I made him. Details of this forthcoming shortly, along with a few music samples here. From the little bit I have listened to already, its lovely! (December 9, 2007)

Kara Lochridge - Expert Flute Repair and Restoration: I frequently get asked if I am available to repair or restore antique flutes and some not so antique flutes by living makers. My limited experience with such tasks has been frustrating and at times horrifying and I've simply turned such work down.

Kara Lochridge repairs and restores wooden flutes of all kinds, including the modern Irish flute and those from the Baroque Era and the 19th Century. She spent a number of years in Patrick Olwell's workshop and does great work. If you have an old flute in need of repairs you can reach her through her website.(December 9, 2007)

Inflation and Parquet Flooring: We live in inflationary times unfortunately. The US Dollar has been really hammered compared to other currencies such as the Euro and Pound. This has made my flutes cheaper for those outside the US, while making my overseas competitors' flutes more expensive. Since most of the woods I use are imported, these costs have gone up as well.

25 Years of Flute Making! Sometime in the summer of 2006 I passed the 25 year point of making flutes. A quarter century of flute making! Here are some statistics: although I don't have an exact number, I estimate I have produced about 3000 instruments, based on recent averages of 120 flutes a year, or about 1 flute every 3 days with 5 days off extra yearly (6 for leap years). At an average length of about 26", the total length of flutes bored out runs around 1.25 miles - if these were all layed end to end. At approximately one pound per flute this represents about 1.5 tons of flutes. (April 7, 2007)

Extended Foot Joint for Low Flutes: These are nice - but these are no longer available. They are simply too much work!

Larger Holed Standard Version: This flute is as powerful as a Pratten, but has much better tonal balance and hand ergonomics. It resembles my Standard model and uses the same bore. However, the fingerloles are slightly farther down on the instrument, and slightly larger in size. With this instrument there is no longer any need to offer a copy of the Pratten, so the Pratten has been discontinued. (August 25, 2006)

Combo low flutes: My low flutes are now available in these pitches: A, Bb, B and C, or in 2, 3 or 4 way combinations. Choose your pitch! Each additional pitch costs 1/2 the cost of a standalone, with the exception of the B which uses the Bb lower middle joint. Illustrated below is a recently completed 4 way combo in blackwood with silver bands and tuning slide, with bodies arranged below the headjoint from the top-down: A, Bb, B and C. (August 25, 2006)

News Archive

Low Bb/A Flute Combination Package

December 2004 - In response to the popularity of both Casey's low Bb and A designs, he is now offering a low flute combination package. Please see the low flute catalog page for details.

New Detail Photos of Curly Boxwood Flutes

July 2004 - A nice combination of recent orders and shop timing allowed us to take photos of several curly boxwood flutes together, along with an example of a cant or half-log from which the flutes are made. Please see the photos and read more about this beautiful wood on our Wood selection page.

Grey Larsen's The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle

November 2003 - We are delighted to offer for sale the comprehensive and authoritative new book by our friend Grey Larsen, The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle. In addition to being recognized as an American master of the Irish flute, Grey is an excellent teacher and proponent of the instrument. We recommend The Essential Guide (known affectionately by some here as "Grey's Anatomy") without reservation to flute and whistle players of all abilities.

Casey had this to say about Grey's Guide:

In fact we believe so strongly in the importance of this book that we are promoting it through direct sales on this site as a convenience to our flute customers. Please visit the book page for more details on the book, and to view its Table of Contents.

New Flute Model: Low Bb Ergonomic Rudall

November 2003 - Casey is offering a new flute model, the Low Bb Ergonomic Rudall. Combining judicious ergonomic adaptations with impeccable voicing, this new low flute speaks with no more effort (though just a little bit more wind) than a D Rudall. An economical configuration is offered which puts this unique flute voice in the reach of most players. For detail photos and more information, please visit the catalog page.

New Flute Model: The Folk Flute - A Minimalist Flute for Beginners

November 2003 - Casey Burns Flutes produces a 3 piece wooden flute with great tone and intonation, designed for beginners: nothing more, but nothing less. A solid and correct traditional instrument, one need not suffer frustration practicing at home or embarrassment playing at sessions. This instrument is made with the same reamers, the same wood and the same care in tuning and voicing as his more expensive models. It is offered as his "loss leader" in order to get an excellent flute into the hands of as many players as possible. Please visit the catalog page dedicated to the Folk Flute.