1994-present: Lasewski Scale models
At least 3 flutes were made in the Lasewski Scale, which required a more tapered headjoint, akin to a Baroque flute: the 1994 prototype XV made by Jack Moore; the 1998 XVI made by Tom Green; and the 2004 XVII “Finale” made by Jack Moore. These flutes are all closed hole instruments for acoustic reasons, and they go down to low C. They all have a half-hole mechanism that works in tandem with the tapered headjoint to bring the top octave in tune. It can be switched off with a lever. The mechanism is streamlined and elegant and these flutes feel very light in hand. They also take very little air to play and the sound is buoyant with upper harmonics.
Jack Moore XVII-8 "Finale" (2004)
This is the last flute Alex Murray had made and one of only three (that we know of) made with Lasewski scale. Engraved on the barrel is "Murray-Lasewski-Moore XVII FInale 2004." This flute differs slightly from the 1998 XVI Tom Green flute in two ways: First, the foot and body are one piece. Second, the D crescent now overlaps the outer edge of the D# key, with a slim bit of felt padding in between crescent and key – which is likely why the flute is unibody and the position of the foot cannot be changed. There is also a bit of silver padding on the D# key to make it easier to slide to and from the D crescent. The headjoint is slimmer at the top, the embouchure hole is a little closer to the crown, and it is longer overall (last photo shows standard WImberly head at top and Lasewski scale Arista head at bottom). Courtesy of Pat Zuber, to whom Alex gifted the flute.
Tom Green XVI (1998) #117
To make this flute, Tom Green first had to make the tools. Made four years after the first Lasewski scale prototype (XV), this flute differs in that the Rockstro F# key between e and d# is now gone (the two remaining trills keys, between f and e, played together vent a spectacular high B-flat); and the d# key is not padded. The body of XVI is a little shorter and the head a bit longer but overall they are the same length. The two-flute shots show the XV prototype at top and the Tom Green XVI below it for comparison. Courtesy of Lynne Lasser.
Jack Moore XV Lasewski Prototype (1994)
Even with Ron Lasewski's "traverso" computer program to determine optimum hole placements for the scale, it still took 13 tries to get the head joint taper right, according to Alex Murray. This model included a Rockstro F# key as well as the Murray F# touch which both vent the F# just above the first finger left hand. Courtesy of Pat Zuber.
Late 1970s-early 1990s models
The Murray flute began to hit its stride in the 1980s. A number of professional quality flutes were made by craftsmen such as Jack Moore, Tom Green, David Wimberley, Bick Brannon, Eva Kingma and others. Murray piccolos were made by Opperman and Seaman. These models were mostly Coltman Scale.
Brannen Cooper 6305
Low B foot model #6305 with gold tube and silver keys made by the Brannon workshop, who is still making Murray flutes. This is Pat's go-to instrument for her professional work. Courtesy of Pat Zuber.
Tex Richardson - Jack Moore 27
This gold-plated flute is truly one-of-a-kind, and in Murray world, that is saying a lot. The crescent is replaced with a large spatula and there are two foot joint options, presumably a C foot and a D foot. In the case, there's a crutch as well as a built in rest for the left hand, possibly to mitigate the added weight of the extra row of tubing. We have no idea what the two extra teardrop=shaped keys around the B flat spatula do. We do know that Tex Richardson (1922-1991) gifted the flute to Leslie Timmons. More info on this one soon. Courtesy of Leslie Timmons.
Jack Moore & Robert Dick
B foot, open hole, silver-plated body and keys, silver headjoint, made by Jack Moore in collaboration with Robert Dick. Features include:
Left hand: Pinless mechanism, Open G#, Reverse thumb on horizontal rod, Open B thumb, Bb thumb rod with roller, Coltman C#, Vented/split A.
Right hand: Pinned mechanism, Open D#, F# lever, Moore/Brossa F#, C# trill, Coltman D trill (normal sized hole), and D# (larger than normal hole) trill keys, RH4 rest (for balance, as one doesn't need the RH4 down except for the Ds and high B. Coltman scale. Date made - unsure Courtesy of Zayne D. Harris, Jr..
Jack Moore 51
All silver with 24k gold-plated body and keys, 'unibody' design made by Jack Moore. Date made - unsure. Courtesy of Zayne D. Harris, Jr.
Jack Moore Wood Piccolo XIII
The legend goes, Jack Moore happened upon a fine piece of wood in a local hardware store – perhaps a hickory broomstick – and decided to make two Murray piccolos from it. One is framed and hanging on the wall in Jack Moore's lake house. The other comes to us courtesy of Leslie Timmons.
Opperman Piccolo 215004
Some Opperman Murray piccolos omitted the D crescent but this one has it. Pat says this one is a great piccolo for extended playing up high. Courtesy of Pat Zuber.
Keefe Piccolo 128
Jim Keefe worked with Brannen before starting his own enterprise. The waitlist for one of hsi fabulous piccolos (standard or Murray) is about 5 years. Courtesy of Pat Zuber.
Seaman Piccolo 928
Seaman piccolos are highly regarded and hard to find. The keywork on this murray piccolo was elegantly handled. Courtesy of Pat Zuber.
early models
The Murray-Moore mechanism has seen dozens of iterations over more than 40 years of development. Here are a few of the early model flutes from the 1960s-1970s. Scroll to see more images.
Albert Cooper
Albert Cooper was the first flutemaker to make a Murray flute, beginning with modifications to Alex Murray's flutes for open g# and open d#. It was made in the 1960s. Courtesy of Leslie Timmons.
Armstrong Student Flute
About 50 of these student model Murray flutes were made by Armstrong in the early 1970s, where Jack Moore led the Heritage Division. Courtesy of Pat Zuber.
Armstrong Heritage
Made around 1974, this was a professional line flute made by Jack Moore while he led the Heritage Division at Armstrong. Among its many unique features is an extensible foot joint. Courtesy of Leslie Timmons
Emerson Bass
Emerson made both bass and alto Murray flutes. These flutes don't have the Brossa F#. Courtesy of Leslie TImmons.
Jack Moore "V"
Made in 1975, this is a closed hole C-foot flute made by Jack Moore under his own brand. Among its unique features is the unibody design, attached flute rest under the barrel, left hand finger rest and raised left index finger, at the request of the player, Matt Haigh, who also made a some tooling to assist Jack in his craftsmanship. Courtesy of Matt Haigh.
Armstrong Student Flute No. 1
Coming soon! The very first Armstrong student line Murray flute, No. 1 of 50! Courtesy of Matt Haigh.
murray community
Many flutists around the world play the Murray mechanism. We asked them about their flutes and their experience with switching. See Murray Players.
