I've got an eight key wooden flute. I's a gift from an old man who said the instrument was probably made around 1900.
I don't know it's quality, since I've never played on an instrument made by one of todays master craftsmen. So I can't compare.
I've seen and heard a couple of bagpipes made by the Englishman Jon Swayne, they're beautiful. The man hasn't got a website, but I know he makes Irish flutes as well.
Does anyone has any experience with a flute made by Swayne?
Hi - Yes, I play a key-less Swayne flute and love it. Jon was at the North Hero Pipers Gathering in Vermont a couple of summers ago and was selling a couple of his wooden flutes at his booth. I already had a very good flute but was having trouble getting decent volume out of it.(but I had just started playing flute) When I tried the Swayne flute, it was worlds of a difference. Very easy to play and fill. It's a pratten style so the bottom notes are nice and rich. The low D is great on the Swayne flute - much like an Olwell flute. But the high notes aren't as nice my original flute which was a rudal & rose style. Of course it could just be me since I've only been playing a couple of years.
Several master flute players have tried out my flute and have said good things about it. Most people who try my flute like how easy it is to play. A local flute-maker in my area did say that it's a very good flute and thought it played nicely.
So to make a short story long, I really love my Swayne flute.(it was only $635 USD - a steal!!!)
Here's the email address Jon gave me back then:
js@swayne.demon.co.uk
Mr. McGee recommends both designs for the professional or serious session player.
He says the Prattens have the largest holes and have "become a legend among flute players for its big tone." He says the central section is longer than usual, and it has a single-piece body. I've heard that the "reach" on this design can be tough for small hands because of the extra-large tone holes, one of the hallmarks of the Pratten.
He describes the Rudall as "slender, elegant, powerful, responsive...with great tone and excellent tuning". He says for refinement and top performance, this design is it.
The firescribble.net guide to the irish flutes says that the bottom D on R & R flutes is quite flat, which you can handle by blowing hard and by using a flatter blowing angle than on a Pratten.
Just for fun, check out Peter Noy's flutes. I just ran across his site tonight. I'm not familiar with how his flutes play, but maaaaaaaaaan, are they uniquely pretty! You've got to see 'em: http://www.noyflutes.com/instruments/iflutes_acanthus_01.html
Flutes by Jon Swayne
Flutes by Jon Swayne
Hello everybody,
Maybe somebody can help me with this one.
I've got an eight key wooden flute. I's a gift from an old man who said the instrument was probably made around 1900.
I don't know it's quality, since I've never played on an instrument made by one of todays master craftsmen. So I can't compare.
I've seen and heard a couple of bagpipes made by the Englishman Jon Swayne, they're beautiful. The man hasn't got a website, but I know he makes Irish flutes as well.
Does anyone has any experience with a flute made by Swayne?
Bart
# Posted on January 8th 2003 by Bart
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
Hi - Yes, I play a key-less Swayne flute and love it. Jon was at the North Hero Pipers Gathering in Vermont a couple of summers ago and was selling a couple of his wooden flutes at his booth. I already had a very good flute but was having trouble getting decent volume out of it.(but I had just started playing flute) When I tried the Swayne flute, it was worlds of a difference. Very easy to play and fill. It's a pratten style so the bottom notes are nice and rich. The low D is great on the Swayne flute - much like an Olwell flute. But the high notes aren't as nice my original flute which was a rudal & rose style. Of course it could just be me since I've only been playing a couple of years.
Several master flute players have tried out my flute and have said good things about it. Most people who try my flute like how easy it is to play. A local flute-maker in my area did say that it's a very good flute and thought it played nicely.
So to make a short story long, I really love my Swayne flute.(it was only $635 USD - a steal!!!)
Here's the email address Jon gave me back then:
js@swayne.demon.co.uk
Joyce
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by JMH
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
Hi Joyce, thank you, you've helped a lot and I very much like stories made long
We can't attach photo's but can you - or anybody else - describe what a Pratten makes different from a R&R or Nicholson?
Bart
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by Bart
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
Check out Brad Hurley's site about Irish flutes:
http://www.firescribble.net/flute/choosing2.html
Some info about Prattens & Rudalls.
Joyce
# Posted on January 9th 2003 by JMH
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
Terry McGee has a set of photos of both his R. S. Pratten and his Rudall & Rose designs along with explanations of the hows/whys for his designs:
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/models.html
Mr. McGee recommends both designs for the professional or serious session player.
He says the Prattens have the largest holes and have "become a legend among flute players for its big tone." He says the central section is longer than usual, and it has a single-piece body. I've heard that the "reach" on this design can be tough for small hands because of the extra-large tone holes, one of the hallmarks of the Pratten.
He describes the Rudall as "slender, elegant, powerful, responsive...with great tone and excellent tuning". He says for refinement and top performance, this design is it.
The firescribble.net guide to the irish flutes says that the bottom D on R & R flutes is quite flat, which you can handle by blowing hard and by using a flatter blowing angle than on a Pratten.
Just for fun, check out Peter Noy's flutes. I just ran across his site tonight. I'm not familiar with how his flutes play, but maaaaaaaaaan, are they uniquely pretty! You've got to see 'em: http://www.noyflutes.com/instruments/iflutes_acanthus_01.html
# Posted on January 10th 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
I got to try a couple of Peter Noy flutes at the Catskills Irish Arts week this summer. They are great! I almost sent in a deposit for one.
Joyce
# Posted on January 12th 2003 by JMH
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
Can I find out about this Peter Noy on the web?
Bart
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Bart
Re: Flutes by Jon Swayne
Oops, sorry Joyce, the link is here above, Bart
# Posted on January 13th 2003 by Bart