There are lots of discussions on the chiff & Fipple flute forum about such things: doing a search for 'mopane' and 'humidity' might bring up some information
I bought it from another flute player a couple of years ago. I don't know how old it is, I'm afraid. It's in very good condition - it didn't look as if it had been played much when I got it, and I haven't been able to play it a lot in the last year or so. It has stayed in its case and just been taken out from time to time to try and keep it played in. there are no defects, or even signs of wear.
I'm nitpicking, but Casey Burns' folk flute is his low-price, entry-level instrument, only available in D. Everything else in your description looks fine and correct, but it is not a "folk flute"
that's my fault. On his website these are described as 'low flutes'. I put folk in the thread heading in case people weren\t familiar with these instruments, so that they realised it was a simple system 'folk' instrument and not a boehm alto or something. Apologies if that was confusing. Actually, it means I've probably undersold it. this is priced (new) above an 'entry level' instrument.
In case you are worried about my credentials, I am a flute player, not a scammer!. My name is Trish Winter and My band's website is www.horseplay.org.uk
I'm not worried, I've also seen your post on C&F. I'm seriously underfunded at the moment or I'd consider giving this flute a new home. May it find a loving one.
What's the intonation like on it? People uniformly seem to like his Bb flutes, but I have heard from more than one source that the Burns A is not as well in tune as it could be. Was that your experience?
If I were a righty player I;d give this one a serious thought.
Like all simple system flutes it needs to be played into tune, with attention to intonation. To play in tune It does need more embouchure and airstream adjustment than a D flute, alhtough those with a wide bore, like the Hammy, are probably the closest to its character. I haven't played other low flutes to compare it with, so I can't really compare it with the Bb.
What I would say - and this is more about tone than intonation - is that the variation in sound quality of the different notes is more pronounced than on D flutes. ie some notes are fatter and fuller, others thinner and so on. I quite like this - for me it's the character of the flute, to be exploited rather than disguised - but if you wanted to play with an even tone across the range you might find it quite hard work with the embouchure and trying to keep a lot of space inside the mouth and throat.
Playing it is a good workout for the embouchure - picking up the D flute afterwards, I always think my tone is improved and it feels like a toy - really easy to blow!
The main thing that took some getting used to was that it likes quite a low air pressure and you can't blast away on it as you can with a D flute (if you are so inclined!). You just have to get into the zone with it, and go with the flow.
Low A folk flute now on ebay
Low A folk flute now on ebay
My Casey burns low A flute in mopane is now listed on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&item=120044182007&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
How stable is MOPANE IN HUMID CONDITIONS?
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by Alister
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
I'm not sure, Alister. Here's a link to Casey Burns' discussion of mopane as a flutewood:
http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/mopane.php
There are lots of discussions on the chiff & Fipple flute forum about such things: doing a search for 'mopane' and 'humidity' might bring up some information
cheers
Trish
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
when was the flute made, i.e. what year ? Any defects ?
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by ecologia
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
I bought it from another flute player a couple of years ago. I don't know how old it is, I'm afraid. It's in very good condition - it didn't look as if it had been played much when I got it, and I haven't been able to play it a lot in the last year or so. It has stayed in its case and just been taken out from time to time to try and keep it played in. there are no defects, or even signs of wear.
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
I'm nitpicking, but Casey Burns' folk flute is his low-price, entry-level instrument, only available in D. Everything else in your description looks fine and correct, but it is not a "folk flute"
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by skh
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
that's my fault. On his website these are described as 'low flutes'. I put folk in the thread heading in case people weren\t familiar with these instruments, so that they realised it was a simple system 'folk' instrument and not a boehm alto or something. Apologies if that was confusing. Actually, it means I've probably undersold it. this is priced (new) above an 'entry level' instrument.
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
In case you are worried about my credentials, I am a flute player, not a scammer!. My name is Trish Winter and My band's website is www.horseplay.org.uk
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
I'm happy to vouch for Trish having met her at the flute gathering in ireland earlier this year.
Neil
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by NeilC
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
Thanks Neil. Keep in touch!
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
I'm not worried, I've also seen your post on C&F. I'm seriously underfunded at the moment or I'd consider giving this flute a new home. May it find a loving one.
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by skh
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
What's the intonation like on it? People uniformly seem to like his Bb flutes, but I have heard from more than one source that the Burns A is not as well in tune as it could be. Was that your experience?
If I were a righty player I;d give this one a serious thought.
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by wormdiet
Re: Low A folk flute now on ebay
Like all simple system flutes it needs to be played into tune, with attention to intonation. To play in tune It does need more embouchure and airstream adjustment than a D flute, alhtough those with a wide bore, like the Hammy, are probably the closest to its character. I haven't played other low flutes to compare it with, so I can't really compare it with the Bb.
What I would say - and this is more about tone than intonation - is that the variation in sound quality of the different notes is more pronounced than on D flutes. ie some notes are fatter and fuller, others thinner and so on. I quite like this - for me it's the character of the flute, to be exploited rather than disguised - but if you wanted to play with an even tone across the range you might find it quite hard work with the embouchure and trying to keep a lot of space inside the mouth and throat.
Playing it is a good workout for the embouchure - picking up the D flute afterwards, I always think my tone is improved and it feels like a toy - really easy to blow!
The main thing that took some getting used to was that it likes quite a low air pressure and you can't blast away on it as you can with a D flute (if you are so inclined!). You just have to get into the zone with it, and go with the flow.
Zen flute....
# Posted on October 20th 2006 by patsy