Hi,
Any advice on which flute to get? I tried with a flute before and found the lip thing and the amount of air needed to be off-putting. Are there types of flutes that are easier to blow than others or do you get what you pay for??
Thanks in advance.
M&E R&R is very forgiving. Never met anyone having major problems getting a decent sound of it.
Having said that I just can't resist to add that Martin Doyle Celtic D Flute is my absolutely number one. This is exactly the instrument I've been looking for ever since I started! Perfectly in tune, easy to play, versatile and beautiful. Can't imagine anything better.
The amount of air needed will grow smaller with time. Once you develop a good embouchure (which can take some time) you will no longer need much more air than you use while talking.
The key thing is to be careful when buying a flute not to buy a really bad one. For example, there are quite a few flutes made in Pakistan and sold for cheap on eBay and in shops. Unless you can have a flute player try it out in advance, avoid these - 90% are flat out unplayable even by a good player. Also, the cylindrical flutes like the Dixon 2 piece are harder to play than the more expensive conical ones (Tony Dixon makes a 3 piece conical that is a good starter instrument).
So, depending upon what you want to spend - the Casey Burns Folk flute and Sweetheart Flute's cheaper keyless flutes and Tony Dixon's 3 piece conical are all good starter instruments for around $300 USD.
If you can't afford a flute of that level, google Doug Tipple - he makes conical flutes out of PVC, but they're really very good and come in under $100 USD. That said, they're still different than a conical flute and the finger spread is further and harder on the hands.
If you can afford the $400-$600 range, there are a lot of choices: M&E, Seery, Doyle without slide, Casey Burns without slide, Jon Cochran, etc. These instrument are a step up from the lower priced ones.
Thanks a million guys, sounds like sound advice. I'll try Martin Doyle and see how his waiting list is ...... !!!
Will report back (in 12-18 months no doubt!) .....
Thanks again.
I was lucky, Martin had my flute for me in a matter of weeks. Hope you don't have to wait too long! Doyle is a very good choice.
Eric mentioned some flutes in cheeper ranges, but I would tell you to go for the more expensive flutes to get value for money. I tried the sweetheart and the dixion 3 piece of recent, they just don't cut it in my opinion.
Getting a top instrument is always the wise choice, makes learning a more enjoyable process, etc, etc,
And yeah, the low whistle takes more air than the flute, once you get the hang of the flute!
Giani, If you go for a keyless Doyle, you will probably be surprised to learn how short the waiting period is. By all means contact Martin! He's not only brilliant maker but a very nice and helpful person.
PS Don't forget to say hello from Witek
Good Luck!
Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
Hi,
Any advice on which flute to get? I tried with a flute before and found the lip thing and the amount of air needed to be off-putting. Are there types of flutes that are easier to blow than others or do you get what you pay for??
Thanks in advance.
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by Frulator
Re: Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
M&E R&R is very forgiving. Never met anyone having major problems getting a decent sound of it.
Having said that I just can't resist to add that Martin Doyle Celtic D Flute is my absolutely number one. This is exactly the instrument I've been looking for ever since I started! Perfectly in tune, easy to play, versatile and beautiful. Can't imagine anything better.
The amount of air needed will grow smaller with time. Once you develop a good embouchure (which can take some time) you will no longer need much more air than you use while talking.
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by Barfly
Re: Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
The key thing is to be careful when buying a flute not to buy a really bad one. For example, there are quite a few flutes made in Pakistan and sold for cheap on eBay and in shops. Unless you can have a flute player try it out in advance, avoid these - 90% are flat out unplayable even by a good player. Also, the cylindrical flutes like the Dixon 2 piece are harder to play than the more expensive conical ones (Tony Dixon makes a 3 piece conical that is a good starter instrument).
So, depending upon what you want to spend - the Casey Burns Folk flute and Sweetheart Flute's cheaper keyless flutes and Tony Dixon's 3 piece conical are all good starter instruments for around $300 USD.
If you can't afford a flute of that level, google Doug Tipple - he makes conical flutes out of PVC, but they're really very good and come in under $100 USD. That said, they're still different than a conical flute and the finger spread is further and harder on the hands.
If you can afford the $400-$600 range, there are a lot of choices: M&E, Seery, Doyle without slide, Casey Burns without slide, Jon Cochran, etc. These instrument are a step up from the lower priced ones.
Eric
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by Jayhawk
Re: Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
Thanks a million guys, sounds like sound advice. I'll try Martin Doyle and see how his waiting list is ...... !!!
Will report back (in 12-18 months no doubt!) .....
Thanks again.
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by Frulator
Re: Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
I was lucky, Martin had my flute for me in a matter of weeks. Hope you don't have to wait too long! Doyle is a very good choice.
Eric mentioned some flutes in cheeper ranges, but I would tell you to go for the more expensive flutes to get value for money. I tried the sweetheart and the dixion 3 piece of recent, they just don't cut it in my opinion.
Getting a top instrument is always the wise choice, makes learning a more enjoyable process, etc, etc,
And yeah, the low whistle takes more air than the flute, once you get the hang of the flute!
Good luck with your instrument!
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by proinsiasrua
Re: Advice on Swapping Low-Whistle for Flute ...
Giani, If you go for a keyless Doyle, you will probably be surprised to learn how short the waiting period is. By all means contact Martin! He's not only brilliant maker but a very nice and helpful person.
PS Don't forget to say hello from Witek
Good Luck!
# Posted on May 28th 2007 by Barfly