I'm a Boehm system flautist and am starting to play more traditional Irish music and I'm hoping to buy an Irish flute. There's a huge range of prices and quality out there! Where does one start? I'd like to get a good quality instrument for $1000 or less. What do you experienced flautists recommend? Are there one or two flute makers that really stand out (and in my price range?)? Thanks for your help!
If you can bite the bullet and pay closer to $1,200 US then you can buy from the best makers. You'll NEVER have to upgrade. A flute made by Patrick Olwell, for example, is in this range. If you're firm on 1K or less though you can still buy a great instrument.
Check out Casey Burns' website, and give him a call. He's very friendly and helpful. I have his keyless D blackwood flute, and I also came from the silver flute tradition. I really like the sound of this flute; very warm tone. I think I paid approximately $850 a year and a half ago. He lives in the Seattle, Washington area.
Thanks everyone for responding with great direction and providing links for sources. Does anyone have feedback on the Casey Burns small-handed flutes? Also, is it worthwhile to spend the $ on tuning slides and rings? Thanks again to all who've responded!
IMO, don't do a small-handed flute. You'll progress beyond it and need to get a new one in a few months or a year. Also, you NEED a tuning slide. Good luck!
choosing an irish flute
choosing an irish flute
I'm a Boehm system flautist and am starting to play more traditional Irish music and I'm hoping to buy an Irish flute. There's a huge range of prices and quality out there! Where does one start? I'd like to get a good quality instrument for $1000 or less. What do you experienced flautists recommend? Are there one or two flute makers that really stand out (and in my price range?)? Thanks for your help!
# Posted on October 8th 2007 by songofthelark
Re: choosing an irish flute
click on the 'search' tab and enter 'flute'. You will find heaps of info from previous discussion of the same question
# Posted on October 8th 2007 by Hup
Re: choosing an irish flute
If you can bite the bullet and pay closer to $1,200 US then you can buy from the best makers. You'll NEVER have to upgrade. A flute made by Patrick Olwell, for example, is in this range. If you're firm on 1K or less though you can still buy a great instrument.
# Posted on October 8th 2007 by MarcoTam
Re: choosing an irish flute
Loads of info and opinion on the Chiff & Fipple Flute forum:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/index.php
# Posted on October 8th 2007 by David50
Re: choosing an irish flute
To get a good overview, try the list of flute makers on Brad Hurley's website:
http://www.firescribble.net/flute/makers.html
# Posted on October 8th 2007 by myrddin
Re: choosing an irish flute
Hi. Here's a link to a discussion I started on this very subject a few months back. Lots of useful info. Good luck with your search.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/11994/comments
# Posted on October 8th 2007 by Rhod
Re: choosing an irish flute
Check out Casey Burns' website, and give him a call. He's very friendly and helpful. I have his keyless D blackwood flute, and I also came from the silver flute tradition. I really like the sound of this flute; very warm tone. I think I paid approximately $850 a year and a half ago. He lives in the Seattle, Washington area.
caseyburnsflutes.com
# Posted on October 9th 2007 by nolagirl
Re: choosing an irish flute
look, here is the one you want...
Dave Copely, google him, you won't be sorry. takair jb
# Posted on October 10th 2007 by Joseph Beck
Re: choosing an irish flute
Thanks everyone for responding with great direction and providing links for sources. Does anyone have feedback on the Casey Burns small-handed flutes? Also, is it worthwhile to spend the $ on tuning slides and rings? Thanks again to all who've responded!
# Posted on October 11th 2007 by songofthelark
Re: choosing an irish flute
IMO, don't do a small-handed flute. You'll progress beyond it and need to get a new one in a few months or a year. Also, you NEED a tuning slide. Good luck!
# Posted on October 11th 2007 by kate-dowling