Philharmonic Instruments
Exploring Instrumental Innovation
– About Us
It was here, over a cup of tea, that the idea for a hybrid between the classical flute and world flute families was born. The team at RKF immediately set to work creating various physical interpretations of the concept, including both end and side blown options.
The explorative phases took several forms both in dimensions, playability and timber selection. This was to ensure that the mouthpiece was not only aesthetically harmonious when combined with the body of the classical flute, but most importantly producing the desired warm acoustic tones of their quality world instruments, with the same functionality of its classical counterpart.
During the creative process the artists at RKF applied their knowledge from their world instruments whilst tapping into the extensive professional experience that Andy had to offer, culminating in a product that has the influence of passionate makers and players alike. Since the final prototype was completed, Andy has thoroughly enjoyed playing his RKF Philharmonic Mouthpiece, making full use of its acoustic diversity during many commercial recording sessions.
We are pleased to be able to offer this new musical innovation to the market so that everyone may experience the same unique sounds created by combining the acoustic character of a world instrument with the chromatic range of a classical instrument.
– Our Products
RKF Philharmonic Mouthpiece
Standard RKF Philharmonic
The ‘Standard RKF Philharmonic’ is made using Beech for the main body with an Oak mouth piece and an Oak block adorning the top.
Signature RKF Philharmonic
The ‘Signature RKF Philharmonic’ is made using Sycamore for the mouth piece and main body, with an Oak band, cap and block.
Key Features
- Side blown directly into the mouthpiece, removing the barriers that embouchure blown head joints create.
- Sterling Silver tubing, providing a superior joint between the mouthpiece and flute barrel.
- At least two and a half accessible octaves depending on the players ability.
- Warm acoustic and visual tones created by the natural characteristics of the timber selection.
– Our Promoters
Andy Findon
Andy is Europe’s most recorded flute player who can be heard on countless movie and TV soundtracks, alongside albums for a long list of international artists.
Andy is also known as London’s foremost “ethnic” instrumentalist, performing on a kaleidoscopic array of unusual woodwind instruments.
Andy Findon, “Europe’s most recorded flute player”, in his ever-constant search for new variants of wind-blown sounds came across Red Kite Flutes’ world flutes in the summer of 2018.
Following his purchase of two world flutes, Andy was invited by the makers at Red Kite Flutes to visit their workshop in the hope of working together. This meeting sparked the invention of a new flute mouthpiece, the ‘RKF Philharmonic’.
Since receiving the first prototype Andy has played his new instrument during many commercial sessions including recordings for BBC television, offering a unique sound to composers and orchestrators.
In his words:
Eliza Marshall
“Crossing borders, breaking boundaries”, Eliza Marshall is a highly talented multi-instrumentalist whose passion for cross-cultural music has taken her across the globe.
Featuring her unique Indian bansuri playing, she appeared in 2014 for the World Premiere of Joby Talbot’s ballet “The Winter’s Tale”, as the onstage soloist at The Royal Opera House with The Royal Ballet.
Commercial work involves recording principal flute on numerous orchestral film scores and albums, on soundtracks for the likes of Ridley Scott and Peter Jackson, and she regularly appears as a soloist on flutes, ethnic flutes and whistles for films, video games and television at Abbey Road and Air Studios.
Eliza founded alt folk band Ranagri in 2013, since then they have recorded five highly acclaimed albums, performed at major folk festivals, and appeared on radio stations all over the UK including The Terry Wogan Show in 2014. They have worked with top Indian gurus at The Bhavan Centre London, with tabla legend Kuljit Bhamra OBE, and recorded The Great Irish Songbook with Pop Icon Tony Christie.