hi, I've been flute hunting for awhile, but I'd decided to put it off until I'd tried to make a pvc one, seeing as they're cheaper and all. I used the directions on Doug Tipple's website.
Anyway, it didn't work, I think the holes weren't symmetrical, but what I'm wondering about is the stretch to the finger holes.
I have tendinitis, and it hurt like the dickens to finger. I know my measurements could have been a little off, too, but not significantly. I want to go ahead and buy a flute but I was wondering, how do I tell if I need a small handed one? the stretch was painful on my homemade wreck, but I don't know if it would be for a normal one. Is there a particular way to tell if a person needs one?
thanks.
I know it's taboo and illegal wrt The Session Gestapo on this site, punishable by being boiled alive (at least metaphorically), but you might want to try a Boehm system flute. If at some point in the future you can afford it you could move on to a wooden Boehm. That's what I play. I started off on metal boehm then went to wooden simple system but that period coincided with a work-related RSI from computer over-use, so I went back to Boehm but moved to wood. Works for me.
I think Terry McGee's website has some published measurements of hole positions on a variety of flutes - or one could search chiff and fipple - the topic comes up quite often there and many people have posted measurements of their flutes. Paint, or drill the holes in the described positions on your piece of pvc and see how hard it is for you to cover them. Generally, a conical flute will have a bit better hole positions than a cylindrical one.
And yes, if it really is a problem then Boehm flutes are an option, though I personally prefer a simple system flute for traditional music and the boehm flute for the rest. But that means owning and learning both...
There are many videos on Youtube on home-made flutes, some of which have measurements included. If you draw out the holes on a bit of paper and fixing it to a broom handle (mind the ornaments on the sideboard) with elastic bands. you can get a good idea of whether you can cover the holes. Some flutes have offset holes for smaller hands, and you can simulate this by cutting the paper and rotating the holes to where you can reach them.
You're not gonna tell if you will be able to cover holes by just seeing if you can reach them. Two reasons. One, the only way to tell if there is a leak is to try it with real holes. Two, just because you have difficulty covering holes innitially, doesn't mean you won't be able to with a bit of practice. How many instruments are there that you can pic up and play straight away?
Most players who have trouble with hole spacing are trying to play on fingertips as you would on a Boehm instrument. You would probably be perfectly fine if you learn to play flat-fingered or in pipers grip. To see what I'm talking about, look up Youtube videos of Alan Doherty, Mike McGoldrick, or Cormac Breatnach.
micheal, I guess I wasn't very clear, I finished the flute before I figured out I couldn't reach. so the holes were cut and everything. which kinda stinks since I can't use it...
also, I thought at first that if I worked on it I could reach, but I don't think I want to risk it, since I'm taking a month off of flute to see if my tendinitis gets better.
Casey Burns makes a small-handed flute. I have a small-hander Folk flute & love it. Very comfortable -- no difficult reach. Check out his website. He tells you have to measure your hand to figure out if you need a smaller-handed flute or not. I was kind of borderline, but got the small-handed one and have never regretted it. Really, check these out before you buy anything!! Have fun.
Have you considered that it might be your hand position that is causing the trouble. At the dublin fleadh this week one group had eight flute players in the u12 category and some of them were only 8 or 9 years of age with very small hands. Also Brendan McCabe RIP. wass fine flute player with many ceili bands including the Siamsa had the tops of 3 of his fingers missing. If you hold your hand at right angles to the flute your are going to find it difficult , so angle your hand so the fingers strech down the flute and don't mind if you cant use the tips of your fingers to cover the holes, use the pipers technique.
That's true, on my McGee GLP it is very easy to cover the holes.
My Casey Burns low A is, on the other hand, rather challenging... However, Andra Bohnet with much smaller hands than me managed to play it rather well... But then, she's rather good... She also managed to play it in tune too which is something I still have difficulties with!
small-handed flutes
small-handed flutes
hi, I've been flute hunting for awhile, but I'd decided to put it off until I'd tried to make a pvc one, seeing as they're cheaper and all. I used the directions on Doug Tipple's website.
Anyway, it didn't work, I think the holes weren't symmetrical, but what I'm wondering about is the stretch to the finger holes.
I have tendinitis, and it hurt like the dickens to finger. I know my measurements could have been a little off, too, but not significantly. I want to go ahead and buy a flute but I was wondering, how do I tell if I need a small handed one? the stretch was painful on my homemade wreck, but I don't know if it would be for a normal one. Is there a particular way to tell if a person needs one?
thanks.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Becky-o
Re: small-handed flutes
I know it's taboo and illegal wrt The Session Gestapo on this site, punishable by being boiled alive (at least metaphorically), but you might want to try a Boehm system flute. If at some point in the future you can afford it you could move on to a wooden Boehm. That's what I play. I started off on metal boehm then went to wooden simple system but that period coincided with a work-related RSI from computer over-use, so I went back to Boehm but moved to wood. Works for me.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Rudall the time
Re: small-handed flutes
I think Terry McGee's website has some published measurements of hole positions on a variety of flutes - or one could search chiff and fipple - the topic comes up quite often there and many people have posted measurements of their flutes. Paint, or drill the holes in the described positions on your piece of pvc and see how hard it is for you to cover them. Generally, a conical flute will have a bit better hole positions than a cylindrical one.
And yes, if it really is a problem then Boehm flutes are an option, though I personally prefer a simple system flute for traditional music and the boehm flute for the rest. But that means owning and learning both...
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Crackpot
Re: small-handed flutes
thanks for the replies.
I play a silver flute anyway, I just like the sound and ornamentation of the wooden ones.
I'll check out that website, thanks.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Becky-o
Re: small-handed flutes
There are many videos on Youtube on home-made flutes, some of which have measurements included. If you draw out the holes on a bit of paper and fixing it to a broom handle (mind the ornaments on the sideboard) with elastic bands. you can get a good idea of whether you can cover the holes. Some flutes have offset holes for smaller hands, and you can simulate this by cutting the paper and rotating the holes to where you can reach them.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by gam
Re: small-handed flutes
Well, I didn't know you played one o' they Bone flutes, Danny. I always thought you played a proper one.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by ethical blend
Re: small-handed flutes
You're not gonna tell if you will be able to cover holes by just seeing if you can reach them. Two reasons. One, the only way to tell if there is a leak is to try it with real holes. Two, just because you have difficulty covering holes innitially, doesn't mean you won't be able to with a bit of practice. How many instruments are there that you can pic up and play straight away?
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by ...
Re: small-handed flutes
But she's just after saying she has tendonitis.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Rudall the time
Re: small-handed flutes
Talk with Casey Burns. He'll have you measure the comfortable stretch of your hands and make a flute to suit.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by srt19170
Re: small-handed flutes
" How many instruments are there that you can pic(k) up and play straight away?"
plenty actually, Michael: bodhran, shakey egg, spoons...........the list is endless!
[ I'll get my coat !!!!!! ]
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by domhnall.
Talk with Casey Burns.
Right: http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by David Levine
Re: small-handed flutes
Most players who have trouble with hole spacing are trying to play on fingertips as you would on a Boehm instrument. You would probably be perfectly fine if you learn to play flat-fingered or in pipers grip. To see what I'm talking about, look up Youtube videos of Alan Doherty, Mike McGoldrick, or Cormac Breatnach.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by ElaineT
Re: small-handed flutes
I have a Terry Mcgee Grey larsen preferred its great for smaller hands i find i barely have to stretch at all and its very easy to play
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by frogeyes
Re: small-handed flutes
Sam Murray's flutes have a relatively small stretch.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Darragh Ó C
Re: small-handed flutes
micheal, I guess I wasn't very clear, I finished the flute before I figured out I couldn't reach. so the holes were cut and everything. which kinda stinks since I can't use it...
also, I thought at first that if I worked on it I could reach, but I don't think I want to risk it, since I'm taking a month off of flute to see if my tendinitis gets better.
Thanks for the suggestions.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by Becky-o
Re: small-handed flutes
Take as long as it takes away from playing until you get completely better.
# Posted on May 12th 2010 by ...
Re: small-handed flutes
He's only half vulcan....
# Posted on May 13th 2010 by Eòsaph
Re: small-handed flutes
http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/ff.php
Casey Burns makes a small-handed flute. I have a small-hander Folk flute & love it. Very comfortable -- no difficult reach. Check out his website. He tells you have to measure your hand to figure out if you need a smaller-handed flute or not. I was kind of borderline, but got the small-handed one and have never regretted it. Really, check these out before you buy anything!! Have fun.
# Posted on May 13th 2010 by justwhistle
Re: small-handed flutes
Have you considered that it might be your hand position that is causing the trouble. At the dublin fleadh this week one group had eight flute players in the u12 category and some of them were only 8 or 9 years of age with very small hands. Also Brendan McCabe RIP. wass fine flute player with many ceili bands including the Siamsa had the tops of 3 of his fingers missing. If you hold your hand at right angles to the flute your are going to find it difficult , so angle your hand so the fingers strech down the flute and don't mind if you cant use the tips of your fingers to cover the holes, use the pipers technique.
# Posted on May 13th 2010 by murcu
Re: small-handed flutes
Casey Burns and Terry McGee both make great flutes for small hands.
# Posted on May 13th 2010 by pipersgrip
Re: small-handed flutes
That's true, on my McGee GLP it is very easy to cover the holes.
My Casey Burns low A is, on the other hand, rather challenging... However, Andra Bohnet with much smaller hands than me managed to play it rather well... But then, she's rather good... She also managed to play it in tune too which is something I still have difficulties with!
# Posted on May 13th 2010 by Crackpot