Testimonials

"Cama-i" (Aleut Greetings)

I have been playing Russ's flutes since I met him back in the early 90's at one of our very first Northern California flute gatherings in Sacramento!!
He would eventually bring me flutes to try, and we'd play them at the Native Gallery I use to work at in Old Sacramento. Folks would hear the sound of flutes and wander in to an impromptu concert. The aroma of white sage filled the air and it was always so amazing how the vibe would draw them in.... I am proud and honored to call him my friend and brother!

A Russ Venable flute still possesses that magic, and then some! This flute maker has not only improved his already incredible flute making skills over the years, but his creative mind and adventurous curiosity has led him down roads not yet taken!! I can't tell you how many "prototypes" this Aleut woman has in her possession. You flute players would just drool- if you haven't already seen them on the flute tree (Also a RV creation) in my music room! This man is an ARTIST!

The two first things I look for in a flute are tonal quality, and volume- pretty much in that order. If I'm in pitch and have a lot to work with, within each note, it not only makes for an awesome sound, but is SO conducive to recording and performance.

Russ has always come to the table in that respect, and as I tell my flute students- 'when I have a HUGE window of sound in which to play in... it gives me so much more to work with, considering it is an instrument often thought of as (seemingly) having limitations.' We have found, that there is no such thing when it comes to the Native American style flute!
Quyanaa (Aleut Thanks) Russ!! Keep up the good works- sharing your gift of song with the world, and beyond !!!!!

This journey truly would not have been the same without you walking beside me brother...

(Mare) Mary Youngblood 7/9/05

"In my opinion, Russ Venable is one of the premier flute makers in the nation. He places his total concentration on each piece of wood so that it becomes a work of art. He is especially gifted when presented with a challenge and has created some of the best multiple-barrel (drone) flutes I have ever played."

Lew Paxton Price
Impressive dynamic and octave ranges
Russ Venable's Magen Avot has great dynamic and octave ranges. This version has the six finger holes and one thumb hole. The thumb hole helps it pop an octave, though it can pop octaves with the thumb in place. As with his drone, if you tongue and attack a note, you can pop several of the notes up an octave. This flute really does go there -- I get five good and easy notes above the octave. I don't remember if I demonstrate that in the video links below as I made those videos on the first two days I had the flute.
The dynamic range is superb. I can really push the flute and go loud and back off to a whisper and the flute doesn't go flat or sharp during that dynamic journey.
For quality of workmanship -- Russ Venable's reputation as an "as good as it gets" flute maker is well deserved. I particularly appreciate the clean and elegant lines of the flute and his signature bird, the feel in my hands, perfect finished edges on the finger holes and the way he orients the grain of the wood to the flute. On both my Magen Avot and the drone, the birds have nice weight to them and with the second wrap around the tail of the bird, hold tightly to the flute.
This is my second Russ Venable flute (I have a "perfect" drone from him.) Both are favorites in my small collection. Russ is a lovely, interesting and kind man and, for me, that enhances the entire experience of playing his flutes.

Yogini Tara-Flute Portal, Nov 2009