Testimonials
been transcribed to this page and all the originals are filed away for anyone to see should they wish to.
I'd like to share with you my journey into Native American Flute making and discovering Bill's "How to" DVD.
I have always been passionate about all things Native American, especially the Native American people of
the Plains, and for many years I have been crafting Drums, War Bonnets, Shields etc, and immersing myself
in the ways of these amazing people. So it was for me a natural progression in my learning to seek out how to
craft a Native American Flute.
So about 6 months ago I came across a kit for a NAF and sent away for it and excitedly awaited its arrival.
When it finally arrived I was to say the least, extremely disappointed, two lumps of timber and very little
instruction at all arrived. I managed to get the flute together and it played, but I still knew nothing about
flutes and desperately wanted to know more.
I felt the flute calling me so I started on a quest to find out all I could so I could make my own quality flutes.
As I discovered, there is not that much information here in Australia, then one day while surfing through Ebay I came across a how to make dvd that turned out to be Bill's DVD "The Making of a Native American Style
Flute" and with an even bigger bonus, he was here in Australia.
So I ordered a copy and waited excitedly for it to arrive. Before it did, Bill had contacted me several times by email and sent me information and files on flutes and his amazing router jig plans.
WOW!! I thought, I really can't wait to see the DVD if this was the service I got before it arrives.
And I was not disappointed at all. A great DVD on crafting a Native American Style Flute, straightforward and well explained from start to finish.
Bill has also been amazing in answering any questions I have had on crafting a flute and has sent me many files on flute making.
I have used Bill's method and have crafted 6 flutes for family and friends and gifted them for christmas - They all loved them !
All I can say is I am hooked and I thank Bill for his amazing DVD for de-mystifying how to make a flute, and I thank him for his part in helping me start on my journey into the amazing world of the Native American Flute.
I can honestly say "If you are called to the path of making a Native American Flute, you can not go wrong with this fantastic DVD, I wish I had found it years ago."
Thank you Bill
Journey Well My Brother
Best regards
Glenn Wright
Bundaberg
Qld
a small part in the DVD mentioned, for which I must thank him, and without his input and appearances who knows
what this DVD would have turned out like.
Thanks Willie, you are a true friend and comrade.
Here I will share a little about myself and how my flute journey began.
While looking to purchase a flute, I was given Bill Sheridan's phone number and was told that he was the man I needed to talk to about flutes. After contacting Bill, I went to his place where I introduced myself to him, accompanying me was a piece of arsenal that I had much joy in playing, which was my didgeridoo. Bill himself, also had a joy for playing the didgeridoo but had not quite mastered the art of Circular Breathing. After listening to Bill play one of his many Native American Style Fluites, and wonderfully at that, I knew then that the flute was for me. I then shared some didge playing with Bill and gave him some tips on Circular Breathing. To my amazement, Bill gifted me a flute that night in exchange for sharing some didge techniques. I was truly blessed that night with such a wonderful Taonga (gift/treasure). After trading lessons on the didge and the flute, Bill offered me the opportunity to craft my very first flute, "yet another blessing". After crafting my first flute I was totally hooked on crafting this wonderful Taonga (treasure),the Native American Flute.
My thanks go to Bill Sheridan of Leadingshield Flutes for helping me on my journey of flute crafting. I recommend Leadingshield Flutes to anyone wanting to purchase a Native American Style Flute. Bill has an eye for detail which is outstanding and his flutes are of a high quality as is much of the other works Bill creates.
Regards....Willie (Twofeatherflutes)
from Ebay. This DVD is excellent.....I learned so much about playing and understanding the Native American Style Flute....Bill
made it all so easy to follow with his down to earth honesty....I had recently bought a little reed flute from a supposedly well
known Native American Flute maker in the States. Unfortunately my little flute was flawed and I contacted Bill who fixed the
little flute for me and fashioned a mouthpiece for it....It now plays to the very best of its ability....After seeing and hearing
Bill's Cedar Flutes on the DVD I decided that a cedar flute was a must for me.
I am now the proud owner of two Leadingshield Flutes....They are beautifully crafted and play beautifully....I have recommended
Bills flutes to friends and one of them now also owns two Leadingshield Flutes.
My flutes are admired wherever I take them and they give me the greatest pleasure and comfort on a daily basis when I play them.
These flutes are made by a Craftsman of great ability and integrity....I recommend them to anyone who understands the
importance of the energies that go into this type of instrument during the construction process....These flutes are made with a
gentleness of spirit and a commitment to the Way of the Native American People.
I have nothing but praise and admiration for the products, and for the Craftsman that made them...
Denise Ryan
4/9 Petrie Street
FRANKSTON
Victoria
American Flute, that not only would sound beautiful but would also be one that I
would be proud to own. I say thankless, because nowhere could I find one that
felt right. I had all but given up, when I met Bill Sheridan. Once I learnt of
his skill and saw his craftsmanship, I knew that I had at last found what I was
looking for.
The flute he made for me was perfect in every way and sat well in my soul. The
craftsmanship is of VERY high quality and the carving of my Wolf is superb.
This
is not only a functional musical instrument, but also a work of art. Since then
I have had two more made for me and all are displayed proudly on my wall for all
to see.
Thank you.
Alison Oborn
Just a short note to let you know that the flute making and flute playing
DVD's arrived a few days ago. I have purchased other flute making dvds
from other makers here in America, but non of them come close to your DVD.
Your DVD would have to be the most informative, thorough, easy to
follow and understand DVDs I have seen on the subject of making
Native American Flutes. A credit to you and Willie especially seeing
as how you both live on the other side of the world and well away
from the country these instruments originated from.
Also loved the few funny bits you threw in just to lighten things up
a little.
Also loved the flute playing dvd, very good, easy to follow and great
for the beginner, really gives them a head start in the playing of these
instruments. You are a very good player too, loved your impromptu
piece you played.
Feel free to use this letter for any means, as I highly recommend your
dvds, so much so that I am going to purchase your Drum Making one
as well.
Regards
John Palmer
Idaho
U.S.A.
