Hi,
I wnat to buy an irish flute as a present for a friend,
but i don't know the difference between flute wi keys and keyless.
Hi plays flutes for years, but without keys.
And what the difference between Bb and D?
The first thing to realize is that flutes with keys are a lot more expensive than ones without. This is because making the keys represents a lot of work.
If you want the best flute for your friend, you'll probably want to order from a maker. And if you are ordering a new flute from a maker, you may have to wait much longer for one with keys, as well as having to pay a lot more.
So those are practical considerations for you. Obviously keys make playing certain notes easier... others will be able to expand more on that for you.
I'm not talking about money, i know it's more expensive.
I want to know the difference and how much it's important.
I know his dream is to have an professional irish flute and it may cost few thousands.
On the site you gave the D flute is the one usually played in Irish sessions. The fingering, on a keyless D, is very similar to the fingering on a silver (concert) flute. How much experience does your friend have playing flute . . . playing Irish music?
Better to have a keyed flute after experience with a non-keyed flute.
Bb is not a common key, standard tuning is D, Bb has been used on some recordings by Mat Molloy and Kevin Cawford, it is a difficult instrument to play and also would not be for small hands. Rich tone can be had from most decent flutes, conical & wooden.
i found this:
"
McGee - Rudall Refined 6-key in Backwood and Silver (Pre-owned)
A beautiful 6-key Rudall Refined in blackwood. Comes with a fitted hardwood case and Terry's own improved cleaning rod.
This is a really nice player. It has the 2 semi-circle embouchure.
Great condition.
"
i hope it's in D
My opinion is that if your friend is seriously interested in a professional Irish flute, than that's some indication they're already sufficiently prepared to name their preferred maker, bore style, material and # of keys. I wouldn't care to be surprised with such an expensive purchase. Instead, I'd suggest you offer to assist them to purchase their desired item, within a budget you are comfortable with.
BTW, if you can manage to pick up a flute through Doc Jones' Irish Flute Store and avoid a waiting list, I recommend him. You can also return a flute that doesn't suit upon trial, but are subject to a restocking fee and return shipping.
As stated by others, a D flute is the more common one played in sessions. A quality keyless flute is perfectly sufficient for most Irish tunes, and a keyed flute provides additional flexibility for advanced tunes and other genres of music.
Sensible answers - most of all, the suggestion that your firend might have an idea him/herself of what they want.
1. Flute in D - this is the standard. Don't get anything else.
2. Keyless vs keyed - time and money question - keyless is fine for most of the traditional repertoire. One can always go out and buy a keyed flute later with the benefit of knowing far more about what you want.
3. Doc Jones' Irish flute store has a good reputation. It is also the only way to buy pre-owned flutes short of individual contact with individual sellers - where it would be useful to know rather more than you do.
4. Go and have a look on Chiff and Fipple's flute forums, also use the search function in this forum. These are not new questions.
Absolutely--get your friend involved in the process!
If your friend already plays the silver flute, he may not want to learn another key system--keyless may be the way to go. Keys are no indication of flute quality--they're simply extra tools. And for most of the traditional Irish repertoire, they're far from essential.
Call Doc Jones direct on the phone. He's a great guy to deal with, and he knows a lot about fitting the flute to the player. He should be able to answer your questions, and ask a few you may not have thought of too.
irish flute - with keys or not?
irish flute - with keys or not?
Hi,
I wnat to buy an irish flute as a present for a friend,
but i don't know the difference between flute wi keys and keyless.
Hi plays flutes for years, but without keys.
And what the difference between Bb and D?
I the best irish flute for him!
thanks a lot!
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
The first thing to realize is that flutes with keys are a lot more expensive than ones without. This is because making the keys represents a lot of work.
If you want the best flute for your friend, you'll probably want to order from a maker. And if you are ordering a new flute from a maker, you may have to wait much longer for one with keys, as well as having to pay a lot more.
So those are practical considerations for you. Obviously keys make playing certain notes easier... others will be able to expand more on that for you.
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by Jeeves Tones
Oops... typing mistakes
wnat=want*
wi=with*
I the best= I want the best*
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
thanks for the answer!
I want to order from this site:
https://www.irishflutestore.com/newsite/products.php?c1=55&c2=75
so i don't need to wait so long.
I'm not talking about money, i know it's more expensive.
I want to know the difference and how much it's important.
I know his dream is to have an professional irish flute and it may cost few thousands.
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
Oh, and what about the difference between Bb and D?
I'm looking for rich tones
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
On the site you gave the D flute is the one usually played in Irish sessions. The fingering, on a keyless D, is very similar to the fingering on a silver (concert) flute. How much experience does your friend have playing flute . . . playing Irish music?
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
Better to have a keyed flute after experience with a non-keyed flute.
Bb is not a common key, standard tuning is D, Bb has been used on some recordings by Mat Molloy and Kevin Cawford, it is a difficult instrument to play and also would not be for small hands. Rich tone can be had from most decent flutes, conical & wooden.
Some flutes can also be found here: http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewforum.php?f=35
There's a very nice Olwell for sale.
The Irishflute store seem to have several mix bands of flutes mostly from US makers for which I have no experience.
My own Particular wish list:
6 keyed in keys of D/Eb/C
Grinter
Olwell
Murray
Hope some of this helps...
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by Andyras1
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
he plays 5-6 years on flutes, but not irish music.
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
thanks!
so i need D
i found this:
"
McGee - Rudall Refined 6-key in Backwood and Silver (Pre-owned)
A beautiful 6-key Rudall Refined in blackwood. Comes with a fitted hardwood case and Terry's own improved cleaning rod.
This is a really nice player. It has the 2 semi-circle embouchure.
Great condition.
"
i hope it's in D
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
My opinion is that if your friend is seriously interested in a professional Irish flute, than that's some indication they're already sufficiently prepared to name their preferred maker, bore style, material and # of keys. I wouldn't care to be surprised with such an expensive purchase. Instead, I'd suggest you offer to assist them to purchase their desired item, within a budget you are comfortable with.
BTW, if you can manage to pick up a flute through Doc Jones' Irish Flute Store and avoid a waiting list, I recommend him. You can also return a flute that doesn't suit upon trial, but are subject to a restocking fee and return shipping.
As stated by others, a D flute is the more common one played in sessions. A quality keyless flute is perfectly sufficient for most Irish tunes, and a keyed flute provides additional flexibility for advanced tunes and other genres of music.
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by kkrell
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
Yes, the McGee you mention is in D.
# Posted on October 12th 2009 by kkrell
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
For not a whole lot of money, I'd buy (if I wanted to play flute in many genres)
-a keyless flute in D, for ITM, and
-a Boehm Gemeinhardt student flute (keyed silver) for everything else.
It's what I have and I am very happy with both.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
ITM? what is it?
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by miaoo
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
ITM stands for Irish Traditional Music. It's a common abbreviation on this site, it refers to the music this discussion forum is about.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Janek
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
Sensible answers - most of all, the suggestion that your firend might have an idea him/herself of what they want.
1. Flute in D - this is the standard. Don't get anything else.
2. Keyless vs keyed - time and money question - keyless is fine for most of the traditional repertoire. One can always go out and buy a keyed flute later with the benefit of knowing far more about what you want.
3. Doc Jones' Irish flute store has a good reputation. It is also the only way to buy pre-owned flutes short of individual contact with individual sellers - where it would be useful to know rather more than you do.
4. Go and have a look on Chiff and Fipple's flute forums, also use the search function in this forum. These are not new questions.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Crackpot
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
Absolutely--get your friend involved in the process!
If your friend already plays the silver flute, he may not want to learn another key system--keyless may be the way to go. Keys are no indication of flute quality--they're simply extra tools. And for most of the traditional Irish repertoire, they're far from essential.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by mcswiss
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
Call Doc Jones direct on the phone. He's a great guy to deal with, and he knows a lot about fitting the flute to the player. He should be able to answer your questions, and ask a few you may not have thought of too.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by E
Re: irish flute - with keys or not?
thank you all!!!
you helped me very much!
# Posted on October 15th 2009 by miaoo