I bought a newly built flute from Martin Doyle a couple of weeks before Christmas and would like some comment on the 'playing in' of such an instrument. I would love to hear from others with Doyle flutes but also from those who have played in any type of fine flute.
I feel that since I collected my instrument the sound has improved daily. This is of course the result of the fine tuning of my embouchure to hit the sweet spot on this instrument, but i can't help but feel that the instrument itself seems to develop in tone and volume.
Am I going crazy or could there really be quite a noticeable improvement in the sound of my flute in such a short period of time? If so, what measures could I take to ensure this continues and to maximise the results? I do oil the bore frequently, mop out after every playing session etc. as one should, but is there more that can be done?
I also wish to put on record here that the Doyle flute is a wonderful instrument, great value and Martin is a gentleman to do business with.
I would suggest that almost all the changes you hear are you getting to know the flute. In fact, I'd hope that there weren't any dramatic changes in the flute itself in the short term, as this could only be due to structural changes in the flute and would in turn imply swelling or shrinkage. The only caveat to that is that oiling a flute can temporarily change the tone (most people say for the better), but this change will probably be slight compared to the concious and unconcious fine-tuning going on between mouth, lips, tongue and flute. But I'd also hope you are playing the flute in gradually if it's new, to allow it's insides to get accustomed to warmth and dampness over a period of time.
In an effort to double your replies proinsiasrua, can I just say that I bought an old Flute once, way back in 1977, but after a few weeks of light headedness I'm sorry to say I gave it up & sold it on to a Dundee Piper! Not much help I know, but at least now you have 2 replies -
here's a link to Rod Cameron's flute care sheet in case you haven't come across it. I'd agree wtih Neil - it sounds like you're getting to know the flute. Enjoy your new flute!
The main thing about "playing in" a flute is not to get better performance, but to avoid damaging it.
It *might* be the case that at the very beginning there is an improvement in performance as pads bed in and the wood seals under the influence of the oiling, but this mainly supposes that it was not terribly well finished off by the maker. Assuming that in fact it was well finished, the main thing is not to play it too long and too often in the early days and weeks, so that the wood slowly gets used to its new, more humid life. And of course to oil it a bit more frequently at this stage than you probably will after a couple of years. (This applies too, of course, to a flute that has been out of use for an extended period.) The wood of the flute really just contains the vibrating air column - it is not a key part of the route the vibrations take from their source to the listeners' ears. So apart from a very short possible "bedding in" period, flutes don't improve with age in the way that stringed instruments like fiddles can.
You should be happy about this - it is almost certainly *you* that is improving!
'Playing In' a Flute
'Playing In' a Flute
I bought a newly built flute from Martin Doyle a couple of weeks before Christmas and would like some comment on the 'playing in' of such an instrument. I would love to hear from others with Doyle flutes but also from those who have played in any type of fine flute.
I feel that since I collected my instrument the sound has improved daily. This is of course the result of the fine tuning of my embouchure to hit the sweet spot on this instrument, but i can't help but feel that the instrument itself seems to develop in tone and volume.
Am I going crazy or could there really be quite a noticeable improvement in the sound of my flute in such a short period of time? If so, what measures could I take to ensure this continues and to maximise the results? I do oil the bore frequently, mop out after every playing session etc. as one should, but is there more that can be done?
I also wish to put on record here that the Doyle flute is a wonderful instrument, great value and Martin is a gentleman to do business with.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by proinsiasrua
Re: 'Playing In' a Flute
I would suggest that almost all the changes you hear are you getting to know the flute. In fact, I'd hope that there weren't any dramatic changes in the flute itself in the short term, as this could only be due to structural changes in the flute and would in turn imply swelling or shrinkage. The only caveat to that is that oiling a flute can temporarily change the tone (most people say for the better), but this change will probably be slight compared to the concious and unconcious fine-tuning going on between mouth, lips, tongue and flute. But I'd also hope you are playing the flute in gradually if it's new, to allow it's insides to get accustomed to warmth and dampness over a period of time.
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by NeilC
Re: 'Playing In' a Flute
In an effort to double your replies proinsiasrua, can I just say that I bought an old Flute once, way back in 1977, but after a few weeks of light headedness I'm sorry to say I gave it up & sold it on to a Dundee Piper! Not much help I know, but at least now you have 2 replies -
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Ptarmigan
Re: 'Playing In' a Flute
here's a link to Rod Cameron's flute care sheet in case you haven't come across it. I'd agree wtih Neil - it sounds like you're getting to know the flute. Enjoy your new flute!
http://www.gruk.net/lars/rodflutecare.html
Trish
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by patsy
Re: 'Playing In' a Flute
The main thing about "playing in" a flute is not to get better performance, but to avoid damaging it.
It *might* be the case that at the very beginning there is an improvement in performance as pads bed in and the wood seals under the influence of the oiling, but this mainly supposes that it was not terribly well finished off by the maker. Assuming that in fact it was well finished, the main thing is not to play it too long and too often in the early days and weeks, so that the wood slowly gets used to its new, more humid life. And of course to oil it a bit more frequently at this stage than you probably will after a couple of years. (This applies too, of course, to a flute that has been out of use for an extended period.) The wood of the flute really just contains the vibrating air column - it is not a key part of the route the vibrations take from their source to the listeners' ears. So apart from a very short possible "bedding in" period, flutes don't improve with age in the way that stringed instruments like fiddles can.
You should be happy about this - it is almost certainly *you* that is improving!
# Posted on January 8th 2007 by Lingpupa
Re: 'Playing In' a Flute
Thanks everyone. Have been taking good care to ease the flute into play bit by bit and looking after it well. Thanks for all the advice on care.
Also nice to hear that I'm getting something right
# Posted on January 9th 2007 by proinsiasrua