What is the difference here? I'm in the market for a flute and I have no clue which would better suit me. Is it a matter of preference or is one better for beginners?
Rudall's have a sweeter quieter sound & are easier to fill. Prattens have bigger tone holes, bore etc & have a louder , harder sound - but it takes a little more effort to fill it & get the pratten sound. It's easier to ake a pratten sound sweet than it is to make a rudall sound edgey.
Hey, have a look on the flute forum at Chiff & Fipple. If you search for Rudall and Pratten, you'll find a lot of extensive posts about it and recently even some mp3 samples. Here's the link:
In brief I give you the clichés: Prattens are said to be powerfull and loud, open sounded, require lots of air. Rudalls are said to be finer sounding, less loud, more focused and complex tone, you'll require less air but a more focused and precise embouchure.
Note: That were only the clichés. Don't slap at me. As anywhere else nothing is quite so black or white coming under closer scrutiny.
I've played original Rudall & Rose flutes and original Prattens. The Rudalls are easier to play and more flexible in tone but will never quite get to the edgy volume of the Pratten. Prattens require more air and a firmer lip but deliver a large powerful sound.
For playing airs I like the Rudall & Rose, for playing reels in a session you can't beat a Pratten.
It's interesting to me to see that both Cathal McConnell and Matt Molloy started out playing Rudalls and later switched to Prattens (at least what I saw them play in person and on album covers). I played an original boxwood Rudall & Rose for years (c1830) and later switched to a Pratten copy made by Koehler of London c1860.
Most makers today are in effect copying either Rudall & Rose or Pratten, and many offer copies of both.
The finest modern flutes I've played were more in the Pratten style.
Rudall...Pratten...huh?
Rudall...Pratten...huh?
What is the difference here? I'm in the market for a flute and I have no clue which would better suit me. Is it a matter of preference or is one better for beginners?
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by rob_handel
Re: Rudall...Pratten...huh?
Rudall's have a sweeter quieter sound & are easier to fill. Prattens have bigger tone holes, bore etc & have a louder , harder sound - but it takes a little more effort to fill it & get the pratten sound. It's easier to ake a pratten sound sweet than it is to make a rudall sound edgey.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Mad Baloney
Re: Rudall...Pratten...huh?
Hey, have a look on the flute forum at Chiff & Fipple. If you search for Rudall and Pratten, you'll find a lot of extensive posts about it and recently even some mp3 samples. Here's the link:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewforum.php?f=2
In brief I give you the clichés: Prattens are said to be powerfull and loud, open sounded, require lots of air. Rudalls are said to be finer sounding, less loud, more focused and complex tone, you'll require less air but a more focused and precise embouchure.
Note: That were only the clichés. Don't slap at me. As anywhere else nothing is quite so black or white coming under closer scrutiny.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by brotherstorm
Re: Rudall...Pratten...huh?
thanks for the links and info guys
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by rob_handel
Re: Rudall...Pratten...huh?
I've played original Rudall & Rose flutes and original Prattens. The Rudalls are easier to play and more flexible in tone but will never quite get to the edgy volume of the Pratten. Prattens require more air and a firmer lip but deliver a large powerful sound.
For playing airs I like the Rudall & Rose, for playing reels in a session you can't beat a Pratten.
It's interesting to me to see that both Cathal McConnell and Matt Molloy started out playing Rudalls and later switched to Prattens (at least what I saw them play in person and on album covers). I played an original boxwood Rudall & Rose for years (c1830) and later switched to a Pratten copy made by Koehler of London c1860.
Most makers today are in effect copying either Rudall & Rose or Pratten, and many offer copies of both.
The finest modern flutes I've played were more in the Pratten style.
# Posted on January 4th 2008 by Richard D Cook