Bob Child
Ugly Boy Flutes, Wood
Ugly Boy Flutes
Yes, it’s an unusual name for such a beautiful and spiritual instrument, but I’m here thanks to “The Original Ugly Boy,” which was, truth be told, ugly. But it played bold and loud, and I’ve been honing my craft ever since that day in July 2002. My goal is a crystal-clear voice that is responsive and lyrical, and the secret is in the sound mechanism, which I craft identically in every flute. Whether it’s an affordable Shadow Hawk or the fanciest Ugly Boy, the voice is the same.
People often ask my favorite wood. I don’t have just one, but I favor Makore, Black Limba, and old-growth woods with tight annular rings, all fantastic tone woods. And who can argue with the beauty of figured Walnut and Maple? I split-bore my flutes (no lathe) in a wide range of keys, some in Verdi tuning (A432 Hz), and I often let each flute tell me its key.
For 24 years I was a TV meteorologist, including 4 at The Weather Channel. My flute family now reaches across the US, South America, Thailand, France, Germany, and beyond. Music heals, and I have seen this instrument create amazing changes in people and animals. Visit my PHOTOGRAPHY page for more Soul-inspiring work.
