HI everyone,
I am a sydney based flautist who has played silver flute for about 12 years. I play a lot of different styles of music, but have a particular love for celtic music in all it's many varied forms...particularly Quebecois music. I am looking to buy a wooden flute (which has been on the wish list since I was about 8) and I am not sure exactly which makers I should talk to.
I was hoping to buy a fully chromatic (6 - key?) instrument (and ideally one that has a low C and C# capability...but see what I can afford). Ideally I would like to try out a number of makers and flutes to find something that fits me.
I played silver flute for 21 years before finally going to a wooden flute. it took me 15 years after i first heard a wooden flute finally making the jump in november last year I purchased a Terry Mcgee it cost me $5000 nz i think it was just over 3000 us for 6 keyed Grey Larsen Prefered and its lovely and worth every penny i had to wait 6 months from the time i ordered to have it made and delivered . It has a lovely tone and terry was really easy to deal with too.
If you want to do it good and proper and save up the cash . I don't know about you but I only ever wanted to do it once and do it properly . When i asked people what to get i was told a Grinter Or Mc Gee by several people and they are local in your area sort of . So why not go with one of these and support the local businesses in your area . Save a bit longer if you have to its definitely worth the wait to have a good quality instrument.
If you want low C/C# capability, you'll want an 8-key.
As well as a new flute, you could try e-Bay for an antique one, even one in poor condition as a do-er upper. Can work out cheaper, but a bit of a lottery, of course. It really helps if you have someone who knows wooden flutes to advise you.
Overall, in any case, I would make contact with Terry McGee, who is a really helpful fella and a fine flute maker, as well as being incredibly knowledgeable.
For low C & C# you'll need an 8-key simple system wooden flute. Michael Grinter has a good reputation, and is based in Australia. I would contact him at: http://users.vic.chariot.net.au/~grinter/
There are other top quality flute makers too of course such as Chris Wilkes, Sam Murray, Dave Williams, Pat Olwell, Hammy Hamilton etc. They all, Grinter included, (but not Dave Williams R.I.P.) , have waiting lists of various lengths. Any second hand flutes by these makers are also worthy of consideration too, and if you have the cash you wouldn't have to wait.
Then there are the simple system 8 keyed flutes by the London makers such as Rudall & Rose, Rudall & Carte, Boosey & Hawkes made in the 1840's up to the early 1900's. These flutes can also be of interest, but command very high prices whenever they turn up for sale, at auctions for example.
As you are already an experienced flautist I'd suggest finding a local Irish traditional music session, or Irish music festival, and go there to listen and meet some flute players, ask their advice, and I'm sure they'd let you try their instruments, most musicians are friendly.
Here's a good site: http://www.theflow.org.uk/
Is there a reason why you want a fully-keyed flute to play Irish music ? Don't the keys get in the way of the grace-notes and other such twiddles ? After all, you only want a C nat on the first octave and a G sharp, both of which can be fingered or half-holed. Most flautists I know personally get along fine with simple un-keyed instruments. (PS I'm not a flautist, only married to one. )
Wow! I have a handmade D whistle, but I have never heard of a whistle with keys! Oh WOW. Where can I purchase a 6 or 6 key Whistle? (Even though i play flute whistle was my first instrument).
Thanks guys for the tips. I think I probably need an 8 key due to the music I play. I have talked to both mike grinter and terry mcgee and I was wondering what the differences between the two makers is?
Get any keyless of reputable make and get playing. Expect to trade in/up to a keyed flute in the next ten years if you're serious. By then you'll know more about what you want and have had time to deal with things like waiting lists etc. You can always reach for the Boehm to deal with tunes in awkward keys for the time being.
On the other hand, if someone is selling a used flute with keys, by a reputable maker and for a price you like and if you can get either yourself or a competent flute player (or better still, both...) whom you trust to try it out first - then go for it if you have the money.
Totally get to the chiff and fipple forum there is a mcgee flute for sale there going for $2800 totally check it out http://web.mac.com/dshikoski/Irish/My_Albums/Pages/Terry_McGee_Flute.html#0
I tried both the grinter and mcgee and found that the mcgee i played was alot easier and had a nicer tone compared to the grinter that i tried however the grinter had a louder bottom d
First wooden flute
First wooden flute
HI everyone,
I am a sydney based flautist who has played silver flute for about 12 years. I play a lot of different styles of music, but have a particular love for celtic music in all it's many varied forms...particularly Quebecois music. I am looking to buy a wooden flute (which has been on the wish list since I was about 8) and I am not sure exactly which makers I should talk to.
I was hoping to buy a fully chromatic (6 - key?) instrument (and ideally one that has a low C and C# capability...but see what I can afford). Ideally I would like to try out a number of makers and flutes to find something that fits me.
Any help or advice would be great!
Cheers
owen
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by henry_oh
Re: First wooden flute
Hi,
for advice and information refer to the flute forum at
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com
As you are living in Australia there are several more or less "local" flute makers. It might be worth visiting them or at least the websites:
Mark Hoza (Kything Flutes) http://www.woodenflutemaker.com/
Michael Grinter http://users.vic.chariot.net.au/~grinter/
Terry McGee http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/
I thinks Mark Hoza doesn't provide keyed flutes. Both other makers do.
There is a huge load of info on Terry McGee's site.
Cheers,
Moritz
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by brotherstorm
Re: First wooden flute
The keyed wooden flutes cost $US5000+ and you'll
have to wait years for delivery. I'm not a flute salesman
but Reviol flutes are an exception to this.
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by Hup
Re: First wooden flute
I played silver flute for 21 years before finally going to a wooden flute. it took me 15 years after i first heard a wooden flute finally making the jump in november last year I purchased a Terry Mcgee it cost me $5000 nz i think it was just over 3000 us for 6 keyed Grey Larsen Prefered and its lovely and worth every penny i had to wait 6 months from the time i ordered to have it made and delivered . It has a lovely tone and terry was really easy to deal with too.
If you want to do it good and proper and save up the cash . I don't know about you but I only ever wanted to do it once and do it properly . When i asked people what to get i was told a Grinter Or Mc Gee by several people and they are local in your area sort of . So why not go with one of these and support the local businesses in your area . Save a bit longer if you have to its definitely worth the wait to have a good quality instrument.
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by frogeyes
Re: First wooden flute
If you want low C/C# capability, you'll want an 8-key.
As well as a new flute, you could try e-Bay for an antique one, even one in poor condition as a do-er upper. Can work out cheaper, but a bit of a lottery, of course. It really helps if you have someone who knows wooden flutes to advise you.
Overall, in any case, I would make contact with Terry McGee, who is a really helpful fella and a fine flute maker, as well as being incredibly knowledgeable.
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: First wooden flute
For low C & C# you'll need an 8-key simple system wooden flute. Michael Grinter has a good reputation, and is based in Australia. I would contact him at:
http://users.vic.chariot.net.au/~grinter/
There are other top quality flute makers too of course such as Chris Wilkes, Sam Murray, Dave Williams, Pat Olwell, Hammy Hamilton etc. They all, Grinter included, (but not Dave Williams R.I.P.) , have waiting lists of various lengths. Any second hand flutes by these makers are also worthy of consideration too, and if you have the cash you wouldn't have to wait.
Then there are the simple system 8 keyed flutes by the London makers such as Rudall & Rose, Rudall & Carte, Boosey & Hawkes made in the 1840's up to the early 1900's. These flutes can also be of interest, but command very high prices whenever they turn up for sale, at auctions for example.
As you are already an experienced flautist I'd suggest finding a local Irish traditional music session, or Irish music festival, and go there to listen and meet some flute players, ask their advice, and I'm sure they'd let you try their instruments, most musicians are friendly.
Here's a good site:
http://www.theflow.org.uk/
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by Steamwilkes
Re: First wooden flute
Is there a reason why you want a fully-keyed flute to play Irish music ? Don't the keys get in the way of the grace-notes and other such twiddles ? After all, you only want a C nat on the first octave and a G sharp, both of which can be fingered or half-holed. Most flautists I know personally get along fine with simple un-keyed instruments. (PS I'm not a flautist, only married to one. )
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: First wooden flute
Well, just did a great big post in praise of 8-key flutes and stuff ... but my post got ate again ... I give up ...
The gist was: play an 8-key. They're better. (I put it better than that, though ...)
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: First wooden flute
Don't worry, my posts get ate sometimes too. Even posted a question about it.
Why do you never see whistles with keys ?
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: First wooden flute
I've got a 5-keyed whistle. Haven't you?
# Posted on February 15th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: First wooden flute
Wow! I have a handmade D whistle, but I have never heard of a whistle with keys! Oh WOW. Where can I purchase a 6 or 6 key Whistle? (Even though i play flute whistle was my first instrument).
Thanks guys for the tips. I think I probably need an 8 key due to the music I play. I have talked to both mike grinter and terry mcgee and I was wondering what the differences between the two makers is?
# Posted on February 16th 2010 by henry_oh
Re: First wooden flute
The whistle is an old one. I don't think they're made any more, but once upon a time, they were made by the company who went on to become Generation.
# Posted on February 16th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: First wooden flute
" I have talked to both mike grinter and terry mcgee and I was wondering what the differences between the two makers is?" Henry oh.
Terry McGee is older, has a beard and is shorter.
# Posted on February 16th 2010 by Steamwilkes
Re: First wooden flute
Get any keyless of reputable make and get playing. Expect to trade in/up to a keyed flute in the next ten years if you're serious. By then you'll know more about what you want and have had time to deal with things like waiting lists etc. You can always reach for the Boehm to deal with tunes in awkward keys for the time being.
On the other hand, if someone is selling a used flute with keys, by a reputable maker and for a price you like and if you can get either yourself or a competent flute player (or better still, both...) whom you trust to try it out first - then go for it if you have the money.
# Posted on February 16th 2010 by Crackpot
Re: First wooden flute
Oh! and I second everything brotherstorm said. Get thee to Chiff and Fipple.
# Posted on February 16th 2010 by Crackpot
Re: First wooden flute
Totally get to the chiff and fipple forum there is a mcgee flute for sale there going for $2800 totally check it out
http://web.mac.com/dshikoski/Irish/My_Albums/Pages/Terry_McGee_Flute.html#0
I tried both the grinter and mcgee and found that the mcgee i played was alot easier and had a nicer tone compared to the grinter that i tried however the grinter had a louder bottom d
# Posted on February 22nd 2010 by frogeyes