Designed to a modified version of 'Prattens Perfected flute by Boosey & Co', this McNeela wooden flute delivers the characteristic Pratten big sound but with greater ease and at its current price beats all other premium wooden flutes on sale, hands down.

Key Features of the McNeela African Blackwood Keyless Flute
" I have played the classical flute for years, but this is my first wooden flute, I have no comparison with other Irish flutes. As a professional musician I'm very satisfied with this first purchase. The instrument is very well made.
At first, I thought that it was out of tune (the second octave were too sharp), but the embouchure is very different from a classical flute. I'm playing it for two weeks now, I am working on my embouchure to have a more "Irish" sound and the flute is not out of tune anymore. I still need to progress, but the tone begins to have character, this flute have a lot of potential."
Arnaud Delannoy

African Blackwood
We've chosen African Blackwood, the finest tonewood, because of its hardness, moisture resistance and excellent sound; this dense hardwood lends a dark, rich, and woody timber sound, which is exactly what you want from an Irish flute.
 
Sealing Technique
We use a cork-lapping sealing technique to protect the top tenon and for a firm head joint. This sealing technique also ensures zero leakage of precious air and helps you produce a honking low D. Great for session playing.
 
Embouchure Hole
The flute features a squared ellipse embouchure hole for ease of play and a brighter sound. The aperture is smaller than standard Pratten-style making it easier to fill and keep filled so you can keep playing without exhausting your lungs.
 
Tuning Process
When you tune the McNeela African Blackwood flute for one note all others follow. Our careful and precise tuning process during the manufacturing stage means little adjustment is needed to keep it in tune, leaving you to focus on your performance.
 
Tuning Slide
The tuning slide means you can adjust the pitch to adapt to any playing situation from a session environment to outdoor recitals and everything in between. Also handy if your venerable fellow musician is playing slightly sharp or flat.
 
Your Flute's Voice
We recommend playing your wooden flute daily for about 15 minutes initially and steadily lengthening each playing period to help the flute develop its voice. This is a gradual process but it's a lovely way to condition and mature the flute and well worth the time.