Thank you all so much for your help. I have done some research, and I have thought about your responses....I would like to buy an irish flute. The one that I am interested in buying is a Ganley Irish Three-piece. It is made out of Rosewood and is made in ireland. It seems affordable and has pretty good reviews. I just wanted to know your opinions about this. Also, I would be buying it without keys and in the key of D. However, I'm not sure whether I should buy it with or without keys since I am switching from the silver flute.
Thank you all again!
For the vast majority of ITM, you don't need keys. If you want to play other types of music, you often need them...but since you already have a silver flute that might take care of your need for chromatacism in other musical genres.
I've not played a Ganley, but search over at Chiff and Fipple...I think they've been discussed there and don't have a very good reputation.
What's your upper spending limit? You don't need to drop a ton of money for a good flute, but you don't want to hamper your playing by buying something poorly made.
Have a look at Ormiston Flutes from Scotland. I don't play wooden flute although when I can afford it I plan to get one. Most of the flute players I know though, all swear by his flutes and they are excellent musicians.
It sounds like the ones you have been looking at are cheaper but, as has been suggested, there may be a reason for this. Ormiston's are good flutes and are still not as expensive as some.
... also you might want to have a look at the flutes of this maker: Jon Cochran
He's an American flute maker based in LA who makes excellent flutes - both Pratten and Rudall in different woods and also delrin flutes for an incredible price - also he does restoration work.
I've received his touring flute and I've been so smitten with it that although I live in Ireland, I want to buy one from him because it's such a beautiful flute and such a great pleasure to play... see link: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=32309&start=90.
It certainly has taught me the lesson that an expensive flute doesn't necessarily mean a better flute - on the contrary.
Here's Jon's email address to contact him directly (he hasn't got a website yet): cochranflutes@Gmail.com
He's a very kind, approachable and knowledgable guy who I'm sure could answer your questions as to what's preferable in your situation: keys or no keys - the price I was quoted for his keyless blackwood Rudall with decorative rings was 580 US dollars which translates into 458 Euros - what a bargain for such great quality.
I'd say in a few years time these flutes will be selling for much much more.
Getting one with keys will help you play the tunes in different keys to the norm, and accidentals, which do crop up now and again. (I found though that the arrangement that gets you that G# in an A major tune wasn't that easy to use, on my flute anyway.) The flip side of keys is that poorly fitted or deteriorating pads can let the air in and when this happens the performance of the whole instrument is affected till the thing is put right one way or another.
DON"T BUY A GANLEY! You will regret it later, you would be just as good to buy a Pakistani Made Flute.
I would recommend a Flute made by Casey Burns, you can buy his Folk Flute for only $300 US. His lowest level model that can be upgraded is an all wood Mopane and is $500 US. I play an all wood Boxwood Pratten made by him and I am very happy with it. His website is http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/
I can also recommend a Flute by Dave Copley, his all wood Blackwood is also $500 US. I have an Eb made by him and I am also very happy with it.
I moved from whistle and Bohm system flute onto wood flute last year and can heartily recommend Terry McGee's flutes. http://www.mcgee-flutes.com
He has a great web site on flutes and is very helpful with advice if you email or call him.
If you're new to wood flute, his GLP is by far the easiest to play that I've tried. Check out Grey Larson's website too.
Getting keys certainly opens up a few options over a keyless but you have to offset this against greater expence and maintainance. I think keyless is the way to go first up. Remember, all the keys are completely different from what you're used to on the Bohm anyhow. You've always got your silver flute or whistles in different keys for the more exotic keys anyhow ;)
I own a rosewood Ganley and a blackwood McGee. Have a look at what Terry McGee says about flute materials. http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/flutepick.html
From my experience, he is correct. I think if you spend the extra to buy a good flute now, you will happier and your playing will be better in the long run. If you really want a cheaper flute to try out, consider a Delrin Seery. We have one of these at our session and the owner is very happy with it.
I'll second harry here. I had a chance to try out a Seery lately - it's much better than any bargain flutes that I've tried (and I've tried out *mostly* bargain flutes). It has a very nice response. Good value for money.
Is anyone familiar with the Blackwood Irish Flute from Andreas, Inc. for $200 as found on Amazon.com? Can that possibly be worth anything? Could it possibly even be real African Blackwood? Or is it one of those marketing scams where "Blackwood" is the name of the color of plastic they use? Just curious how good it could possibly be. I'm in the market for a starter Irish flute. Low on cash and I want something quick while the urge is flaming inside me.
Fully functional wooden flute suitable for Irish music, well in tune, easy and rewarding to play, loud enough for sessions. It's a terrific bargain at $295.
Thanks! Your encouraging word is very re-enforcing. I've been looking at the Casey Burns Folk Flute. So far it is at the top of my list of affordable starter flutes!
I came across the Andreas, Inc. flute and was curious. I was immediately leery, and would never buy it, but I was fascinated that it was blackwood but only $200 and ships in 2 days. From what I've read about embouchures so far, it looked problematic for beginners anyway, but who else would buy it?! I was more or less just curious about it's marketing strategy and why there isn't a single review about it that I can find. I can only imagine that it is just an expensive toy, kind of like going to Wal-mart to buy an electric guitar.
Hi, someone mentioned John Rutzen flutes, he's been making a rudall and rose keyless Irish Flute flute for many years. It has a uniquely engineered head joint that will never split and the flutes is beautifully hand made and finished and has a wonderful sound. I have one that is at least 16 years old and still looks and sounds great. They are very reasonably priced too. You can email him for any information at johnrutzen@hotmail.com
Buying an Irish flute
Buying an Irish flute
Hello again:
Thank you all so much for your help. I have done some research, and I have thought about your responses....I would like to buy an irish flute. The one that I am interested in buying is a Ganley Irish Three-piece. It is made out of Rosewood and is made in ireland. It seems affordable and has pretty good reviews. I just wanted to know your opinions about this. Also, I would be buying it without keys and in the key of D. However, I'm not sure whether I should buy it with or without keys since I am switching from the silver flute.
Thank you all again!
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by begsandacon
Re: Buying an Irish flute
A similar question has been discussed on IrTrad some years ago. Best to search their archive at http://listserv.heanet.ie/cgi-bin/wa?S1=irtrad-l
and leave it at that.
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by kilfarboy
Re: Buying an Irish flute
For the vast majority of ITM, you don't need keys. If you want to play other types of music, you often need them...but since you already have a silver flute that might take care of your need for chromatacism in other musical genres.
I've not played a Ganley, but search over at Chiff and Fipple...I think they've been discussed there and don't have a very good reputation.
What's your upper spending limit? You don't need to drop a ton of money for a good flute, but you don't want to hamper your playing by buying something poorly made.
Eric
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by Jayhawk
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Have a look at Ormiston Flutes from Scotland. I don't play wooden flute although when I can afford it I plan to get one. Most of the flute players I know though, all swear by his flutes and they are excellent musicians.
http://www.ormistonflutes.fsnet.co.uk/
It sounds like the ones you have been looking at are cheaper but, as has been suggested, there may be a reason for this. Ormiston's are good flutes and are still not as expensive as some.
Good luck.
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Buying an Irish flute
While his flutes are moderateley expensive, buying from Martin doyle will insure you get a great flute.
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by Wannabe-piper
Re: Buying an Irish flute
... also you might want to have a look at the flutes of this maker: Jon Cochran
He's an American flute maker based in LA who makes excellent flutes - both Pratten and Rudall in different woods and also delrin flutes for an incredible price - also he does restoration work.
I've received his touring flute and I've been so smitten with it that although I live in Ireland, I want to buy one from him because it's such a beautiful flute and such a great pleasure to play
... see link: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=32309&start=90.
It certainly has taught me the lesson that an expensive flute doesn't necessarily mean a better flute - on the contrary.
Here's Jon's email address to contact him directly (he hasn't got a website yet): cochranflutes@Gmail.com
He's a very kind, approachable and knowledgable guy who I'm sure could answer your questions as to what's preferable in your situation: keys or no keys - the price I was quoted for his keyless blackwood Rudall with decorative rings was 580 US dollars which translates into 458 Euros - what a bargain for such great quality
.
I'd say in a few years time these flutes will be selling for much much more.
Good luck with your flute quest
Vanessa
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by vanessa
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Getting one with keys will help you play the tunes in different keys to the norm, and accidentals, which do crop up now and again. (I found though that the arrangement that gets you that G# in an A major tune wasn't that easy to use, on my flute anyway.) The flip side of keys is that poorly fitted or deteriorating pads can let the air in and when this happens the performance of the whole instrument is affected till the thing is put right one way or another.
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by nicholas
Re: Buying an Irish flute
DON"T BUY A GANLEY! You will regret it later, you would be just as good to buy a Pakistani Made Flute.
I would recommend a Flute made by Casey Burns, you can buy his Folk Flute for only $300 US. His lowest level model that can be upgraded is an all wood Mopane and is $500 US. I play an all wood Boxwood Pratten made by him and I am very happy with it. His website is http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/
I can also recommend a Flute by Dave Copley, his all wood Blackwood is also $500 US. I have an Eb made by him and I am also very happy with it.
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by Unseen122
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Oops, Dave Copley's website is http://www.celticlands.com/page3.html
# Posted on October 1st 2006 by Unseen122
Re: Buying an Irish flute
I moved from whistle and Bohm system flute onto wood flute last year and can heartily recommend Terry McGee's flutes. http://www.mcgee-flutes.com
He has a great web site on flutes and is very helpful with advice if you email or call him.
If you're new to wood flute, his GLP is by far the easiest to play that I've tried. Check out Grey Larson's website too.
Getting keys certainly opens up a few options over a keyless but you have to offset this against greater expence and maintainance. I think keyless is the way to go first up. Remember, all the keys are completely different from what you're used to on the Bohm anyhow. You've always got your silver flute or whistles in different keys for the more exotic keys anyhow ;)
All the best
Stuart
# Posted on October 2nd 2006 by sgp
Re: Buying an Irish flute
I tried a McGee 5088 Rudall copy at a session once and it was very nice.
# Posted on October 2nd 2006 by Unseen122
Re: Buying an Irish flute
I own a rosewood Ganley and a blackwood McGee. Have a look at what Terry McGee says about flute materials.
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/flutepick.html
From my experience, he is correct. I think if you spend the extra to buy a good flute now, you will happier and your playing will be better in the long run. If you really want a cheaper flute to try out, consider a Delrin Seery. We have one of these at our session and the owner is very happy with it.
# Posted on October 2nd 2006 by harry
Re: Buying an Irish flute
I'll second harry here. I had a chance to try out a Seery lately - it's much better than any bargain flutes that I've tried (and I've tried out *mostly* bargain flutes). It has a very nice response. Good value for money.
# Posted on October 2nd 2006 by EastPole
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Does anyone have any experience of John Rutzen flutes are they any good ?
# Posted on October 2nd 2006 by iain beag
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Is anyone familiar with the Blackwood Irish Flute from Andreas, Inc. for $200 as found on Amazon.com? Can that possibly be worth anything? Could it possibly even be real African Blackwood? Or is it one of those marketing scams where "Blackwood" is the name of the color of plastic they use? Just curious how good it could possibly be. I'm in the market for a starter Irish flute. Low on cash and I want something quick while the urge is flaming inside me.
Cheers,
Gus
# Posted on July 24th 2007 by gusmarshall
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Gus, do yourself a favor and check out Casey Burns' "folk flute": http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/ff.php.
Fully functional wooden flute suitable for Irish music, well in tune, easy and rewarding to play, loud enough for sessions. It's a terrific bargain at $295.
# Posted on July 24th 2007 by Will CPT
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Thanks! Your encouraging word is very re-enforcing. I've been looking at the Casey Burns Folk Flute. So far it is at the top of my list of affordable starter flutes!
I came across the Andreas, Inc. flute and was curious. I was immediately leery, and would never buy it, but I was fascinated that it was blackwood but only $200 and ships in 2 days. From what I've read about embouchures so far, it looked problematic for beginners anyway, but who else would buy it?! I was more or less just curious about it's marketing strategy and why there isn't a single review about it that I can find. I can only imagine that it is just an expensive toy, kind of like going to Wal-mart to buy an electric guitar.
Thanks so much for the quick response!
Gus
# Posted on July 25th 2007 by gusmarshall
Re: Buying an Irish flute
Hi, someone mentioned John Rutzen flutes, he's been making a rudall and rose keyless Irish Flute flute for many years. It has a uniquely engineered head joint that will never split and the flutes is beautifully hand made and finished and has a wonderful sound. I have one that is at least 16 years old and still looks and sounds great. They are very reasonably priced too. You can email him for any information at johnrutzen@hotmail.com
# Posted on October 28th 2007 by belfast07