qx-1 electric flute
ABOUT
THE QX-1 ELECTRIC FLUTE MODERNIZES AN ANCIENT INSTRUMENT BY MAKING IT MORE DURABLE, PORTABLE, VERSATILE; ITS INTEGRATED PICKUP PORT MEANS IT’S READY FOR THE STAGE, STUDIO, OR PROCESSING WITH EFFECTS pedals
AT ITS CORE THE QX-1 IS A BLEND OF TWO FLUTES: IT TAKES THE VERSATILE CHINESE XIAO FINGERING SYSTEM AND PAIRS IT WITH THE POWERFUL MOUTHPIECE OF THE ANDEAN QUENA
THE QX-1 EFFECTIVELY PLAYS CHROMATICALLY ACROSS 2.5 OCTAVES AND HAS A POWERFUL, RICH ACOUSTIC TONE. with different techniques the timbre can shift from soft clean notes to strong reedy harmonics
THE QX-1 IS MADE WITH a bio-compatible, durable ENGINEERING RESIN. EACH FLUTE IS carefully CONSTRUCTED, INSPECTED, AND FINISHED BY HAND The qx-1 is finished in a gloss polyurethane inside and out. tuning and tone are remarkably consistent between flutes
PICKUPS AND ELECTRONICS
THE QX-1 is Compatible WITH PICKUPS DESIGNED FOR WOODWIND AND BRASS instruments. These pickups connect the qx-1 to effects, amps, interfaces, and mixing consoles for a direct, low-noise and feedback resistant signal
THESE PICKUPS ALL FIT INTO THE integrated port ON THE NECK OF THE FLUTE
these pickups are passive (no power required for the pickups). USING A powered PREAMP IS OPTIONAL. A PREAMP OR EQ IS USEFUL FOR TONE SHAPING AND effects when PLAYING LIVE or recording
Compatible third-party pickups
QX-1 CUSTOM PICKUP WILL BE AVAILABLE june 2026
HOW TO PLAy
reference the Quena videos for your embouchure (mouth) technique
reference the xiao videos for your fingering technique
EMBOUCHURE / MOUTH TECHNIQUE
for many people THE QX-1 IS EASY TO PLAY, IT can TAKE JUST A FEW moments TO PRODUCE YOUR FIRST NOTE. For others, it will take longer to discover how to adapt to your instrument
IT IS EASIEST TO START WITH ALL FINGERHOLES OPEN
BRING THE FLUTE TO REST ON YOUR CHIN AND CREATE A SMALL TIGHT OPENING WITH YOUR LIPs
BLOW GENTLY, DIRECTLY ONTO THE SHARP EDGE OF THE MOUTHPIECE
HUNT FOR THE RIGHT POSITION BY MOVING THE FLUTE AROUND, THE EDGE SHOULD BE bETWEEN YOUR BOTTOM LIP AND THE OPENING OF YOUR MOUTH
ADJUST THE DIRECTION OF YOUR AIR STREAM BY BRINGING YOUR JAW SLIGHTLY IN AND OUT
WHEN YOU GET A STEADY TONE START CLOSING FINGERHOLES (STARTING WITH THE THUMB) TO PLAY OTHER NOTES
NEW PLAYERS might try to USE TOO MUCH AIR WHEN THEY FIRST TRY TO PLAY THE FLUTE
FINGERING
your left hand covers the top 4 fingerholes starting with the thumb. your RIGHT HAND covers the bottom 4 holes, and the pinky is offset for a comfortable hand position
THE QX-1 IS PLAYed WITH A “HALF-PIPERS” OR “MODIFIED-PIPERS” GRIP. this means instead of using the fingertips of your right hand, you use the flatter parts of your fingers closer to the third knuckle
THE LEFT HAND COVERS THE HOLES WITH THE FINGERTIPS AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT
pitch
the qx-1 lowest note IS C, the same as a standard orchestra flute
(about ~261hz at 440hz a)
The qx-1 is uniquely expressive
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOUR mouth AND THE mouthpiece and amount of pressure will influence the pitch
The toneholes of the qx-1 are tapered to accommodate “sliding” for another dimension of pitch expression
CARE
PROTECT THE BLOWING EDGE OF YOUR FLUTE
STORE and transport THE FLUTE WITH ITS protective CAp
the tuning of a flute is a factor of ITS ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
do not store in direct sunlight
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE PICKUP OR THE PICKUP SCREW
DO NOT BEND THE FLUTE OR SWING AROUND LIKE A SWORD
REMOVE MOISTURE AND CLEAN THE BORE OF THE FLUTE WITH A FLUTE CLEANING CLOTH or drying towel
Do NOT allow moisture to accumulate in the pickup
AVOID CLEANING WITH HARSH CHEMICALS