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M&E polymer whistles and Hammy´s practice flute

M&E polymer whistles and Hammy´s practice flute

Hello everyone,

Has anyone out there tried the M&E polymer whistles? They say on the web page that they´re quite loud, but it is difficult to judge the responsiveness/ tone quality from the short sound clip that is posted. The reason I ask is that I am looking for a nicely in tune loud whistle.

I´m a piper principally with a keen interest in flute playing as well. That aside, when travelling it is much easier to pack a whistle than anything else. The upshot of this is that I have played in some mighty sessions on the road, but most of the time couldn´t even hear myself. I prefer the Generation whistles because they´re pretty well in tune, but I like the tone of the Clarke all metal bodies better. So I was thinking of buying a Susato (because they´re loud as all heck) when I saw the M&E posted.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to tout Hammy Hamilton´s newly redesigned practice flute. This little beauty sells for only 75€ and sounds better than my Seery. I am teaching a friend how to play flute and considered having him purchase one of these or an Olwell bamboo flute. As the Olwells are relatively hard to come by and have a waiting list longer than I waited for my Eamonn Cotter, I went with Hammy´s flute. Boy am I glad I did. The resonance and response is really good and it has a nice loud tone as well. There are some notes which are a little compromised (like the low E) but it is well in tune. It weighs very little and for the price, I think you´d be hard pressed to find a better instrument. To play it well, you have to learn how to really play with a good embouchure and changing from there to a good flute should be easy. In short, I loved it.

Thanks for the response about the M&E if anyone´s tried them. Another attraction I have towards those is that you can get them in bright orange. What fun!

Alex

# Posted on November 13th 2003 by abush

Re: M&E polymer whistles and Hammy´s practice flute

Try the Chiff & Fipple board (http://chiffboard.mati.ca). You will find at least a half-dozen people there who tried the M&E. It's a little more expensive than my current limit for a high D price. But by all means contact Michael Cronnolly. He's a great guy.

What's new about Hammy's practice flute? Is it still the aluminum job?

# Posted on November 14th 2003 by glauber

Re: M&E polymer whistles and Hammy´s practice flute

I have an M&E, although only a novice , but I can recommend it for the quality , and it is tunable, and it appears to be bullet proof ; as for volume my girlfriend seems to find it quite (too)loud???

# Posted on November 16th 2003 by pajic

Re: M&E polymer whistles and Hammy´s practice flute

"as for volume my girlfriend seems to find it quite (too)loud???"

They always do! :-) It's their way to say they appreciate our playing.

# Posted on November 16th 2003 by glauber

Re: M&E polymer whistles and Hammy´s practice flute

Actually the waiting list for the Olwell is quite long for the keyless / keyed flutes. Mr Olwell makes the bamboo flutes in batches and will there will be a fairly short waiting time for the bamboo flutes actually.

I decided to go for the Dixon three piece flute. Didn't regret that for one second, but I don't have any experience with either the Olwell or the Hamilton unfortunately.

Wish I could hear some soundclips :)

# Posted on November 17th 2003 by Hoed

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