The Hall Crystal Flute
By Sally A. Schwartz

This was the year I decided that I was going to really take the time and learn to play the few instruments that I have laying around my home, as well as one that I had always been interested in since I was young-- the flute. I convinced myself to stop by the Hall Crystal Flute booth that I had always found myself drawn to for the past three to four years while attending the NAMM convention, yet had shyly avoided.

So… I finally bucked up and told myself I can do this and decided to meet with the owner, James Hall. I began by stating that I have admired Hall's beautiful flutes for years, but have always been afraid to stop, as I am musically challenged when it comes to playing any instrument and was much afraid of letting my ignorance out of the hidden bag I call my brain. He laughed and explained that his flutes were based on the styles of those made from wood. I was interested in purchasing one of his flutes not just for their beauty, but also because they didn’t look as intimidating as the concert flutes that I have seen in other booths.

Hall comes from a musical family and his parents played several instruments. Of course being raised in such an environment, he naturally picked up the love of music. In college, he forged an interest for glass blowing while in chemistry class and later found a way to combine both passions.

His studies in musical acoustics, chemistry and the expertise in glass working techniques became what are now the final product-- the Hall Crystal Flute, which is highly refined from the bamboo flutes he first constructed. He designed and constructed a specialized computer which controls the glass working machinery to produce the consistent quality needed in a professional quality musical instrument. The crystal flutes are hand crafted using Pyrex® glass and are decorated with kiln-fired glass enamels and 22k gold. The quality of the sound is impeccable.

After our chat, Hall demonstrated one of his G flutes. He then showed me the proper placement of the mouthpiece and how to hold the instrument. Because of my apprehension, he showed me a book called "Learning the Hall Crystal Flute," which comes with a CD. This instructional package explains in detail how to hold the flute, the proper placement needed for fingers to act as the pads (unlike of those needed for the concert flutes) and the proper placement for the mouth. It also has the basic songs you learn when first taking up an instrument. With a few simple instructions from Hall and the book, I was ready, hooked and had to have one! I placed my order and, true to Hall’s word, I received my flute three weeks later.

I couldn’t wait to open the package. I pulled out the flute, inspected it to make sure it wasn't damaged, ran upstairs to my office, put in the CD, opened the book, put the flute to my lips as instructed by Hall and played my very first note! It was incredible… I played the easiest note in the book... the B note! The sound was just as I heard when Hall played it at NAMM and just as it is on the CD. I went on to play the A, G and F notes, and guess what? I can see I will be in much need of practice and practice I will-- for I am determined to drive my husband, neighbors and cats crazy until I can play it beautifully. Now if I can only find someone to help me read music…

If you would like more information, as well as the price scale of Jim Hall’s Crystal Flutes, log onto www.hallflutes.com <http://www.hallflutes.com/> or call (800) 231-2499. I feel that the pricing is quite fair considering the quality and beauty of these instruments. Hall's company is located in Rochester, Washington, and he also carries other crystal items such as guitar slides and didgeridoos.

Thank you Jim for taking the time to do a short interview and to show me that I too can play this beautiful instrument. I am looking forward to making it a part of my very being and it was a great pleasure meeting with you.