Hey everyone.
I'm currently in the market for a new flute. I've played a Terry McGee 'Grey Larsen Preferred' for a number of years because it's so small. I really love it, but I'm only 5 feet tall and my hand are super small. I've been playing so often lately I've developed very bad wrist cramps and soreness. (I've had to stop playing fast and leave out so many ornamentation).
So, I was wondering what are the smallest models of flutes still pitched in D, that you all know of? Maybe some of you even know flute makers in your localities? I've seen 11 and 12- year-olds play flute in Cork (about the same size as myself) so there has to be something out there (probably without keys). Thanks a mil for the tips!
(Any advice about preventing performance injuries would be greatly welcomed as well).
Probably the one you have. Casey Burns makes a flute for small hands, but I don't know how great of a difference there would be in hole spacing compared to your instrument. When you practice, slow things down, and make a conscious effort to apply the absolute minimum of pressure over the holes while still allowing the notes to sound clearly... In other words, don't squeeze so hard. Relaxation takes practice! Try to break your playing up into 10-15 minute segments.
Darn. I remember hearing that alright, but thought I would double check. At least if things get bad at least I still have the fiddle (kind of). Wish there was such a thing as a 7/8 flute! Definitely will never give up the flute, but playing it about 15-20 hours a week won't cut it anymore :(
Thanks jon, very good tips. Unfortunately sometimes when I concentrate too hard on relaxing it actually gets worse, but I'm trying to stay nice and loose with my fingerings. You're correct, relaxation does involves skills that can be practiced, I just have to start being more conscious of it I think.
Ben - my left hand hurts a lot, right hand is usually fine. It's my tendons rather than wrist. My right hand is like pipers grip, but my left hand isn't - its usually pretty arched fingers.
I'd contact Casey Burns directly http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/. His small hands model may be similar to the GLP, but Casey can customize the flute by placing/offsetting the tone holes to match your hands. I hear he'll take a photocopy of your hands to do this customization. This could make a huge difference, even with just Casey's usual ergonomic offset of the L3 and R3 holes.
You might find a Casey Burns small hands works a little better, but I think it sounds like a grip problem. Not everyone can play in Rockstro grip on Irish flute. It can bend your wrist in unnatural ways.
I'd suggest you try pipers on the left too. Another option is to try a grip where your thumb is under the flute and fingers curved over it, rather than the flute resting on the base of your index finger. Have a look at Kevin Crawford and Patsy Hanley videos to see a couple different ways to approach left-hand grip if you can't do pipers. Kevin rests the flute on the tip of his thumb and arches his left-hand fingers over it. Patsy uses a similar grip, but flat-fingered.
Thanks so much for the advice, will be experimenting with that. I've tried no change hand positions before, but I'm an awful creature of habit, will make a conscious effort with your nice comments!
Patrick Olwell used to make small cane flutes in "D" - Brian Finnegan used to play one a lot with "Upstairs In A Tent", and in the early days of "Flook". I haven't seen one for a while, but it wouldn't have been much bigger than a Bb fife. No keys, of course, but that would be worth trying if you can find one - maybe easier said than done. They were also very cheap in those days, but are probably more expensive now that's he's no longer making them.
Best of luck in your search, "j".
Another thought might be to talk with Terry McGee. He might be able to fill the R3 and maybe the L3 holes and re-drill them to a more comfortable offset position.
get a flute in Eb it will be smaller and react like a D flute. then, you could spend 15 hours a week on an Eb, and make up that extra 5 on a full sized flute. an F flute is a wonderful thing, btw...
Have you thought of a piccolo? An octave higher just be careful as classical piccs are in C rather than D. Hammie Hammilton makes them and it might be the answer to your problems.
R
The hole spacing can't be the problem for the left hand - this must be from the way you're supporting the flute.
Find a teacher. For this bit, it doesn't matter what genre of flute they teach. You need somebody watching you and giving you feedback on what you're doing. And if you've already got a teacher, get a different one.
Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Hey everyone.
I'm currently in the market for a new flute. I've played a Terry McGee 'Grey Larsen Preferred' for a number of years because it's so small. I really love it, but I'm only 5 feet tall and my hand are super small. I've been playing so often lately I've developed very bad wrist cramps and soreness. (I've had to stop playing fast and leave out so many ornamentation).
So, I was wondering what are the smallest models of flutes still pitched in D, that you all know of? Maybe some of you even know flute makers in your localities? I've seen 11 and 12- year-olds play flute in Cork (about the same size as myself) so there has to be something out there (probably without keys). Thanks a mil for the tips!
(Any advice about preventing performance injuries would be greatly welcomed as well).
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
They don't get much smaller than the GLP. (I have one.)
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Crackpot
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Probably the one you have. Casey Burns makes a flute for small hands, but I don't know how great of a difference there would be in hole spacing compared to your instrument. When you practice, slow things down, and make a conscious effort to apply the absolute minimum of pressure over the holes while still allowing the notes to sound clearly... In other words, don't squeeze so hard. Relaxation takes practice! Try to break your playing up into 10-15 minute segments.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by jonmilton
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Darn. I remember hearing that alright, but thought I would double check. At least if things get bad at least I still have the fiddle (kind of). Wish there was such a thing as a 7/8 flute! Definitely will never give up the flute, but playing it about 15-20 hours a week won't cut it anymore :(
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
google: http://www.celtic-instruments.com/B0002HSLBG/Casey-Burns-Basic-Blackwood-Irish-Flute.-Narrowed-finger-spacing-for-small-hands..htm
I know nothing about flutes, but this could be a resource.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Wyogal
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
but, it looks like it is out of stock...
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Wyogal
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Are you using a pipers grip. Is it specifically the wrist which become sore? Right hand more than left hand ... ?
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Ben Steen
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Thanks jon, very good tips. Unfortunately sometimes when I concentrate too hard on relaxing it actually gets worse, but I'm trying to stay nice and loose with my fingerings. You're correct, relaxation does involves skills that can be practiced, I just have to start being more conscious of it I think.
Ben - my left hand hurts a lot, right hand is usually fine. It's my tendons rather than wrist. My right hand is like pipers grip, but my left hand isn't - its usually pretty arched fingers.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
I'd contact Casey Burns directly http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/. His small hands model may be similar to the GLP, but Casey can customize the flute by placing/offsetting the tone holes to match your hands. I hear he'll take a photocopy of your hands to do this customization. This could make a huge difference, even with just Casey's usual ergonomic offset of the L3 and R3 holes.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by JPFlute
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
You might find a Casey Burns small hands works a little better, but I think it sounds like a grip problem. Not everyone can play in Rockstro grip on Irish flute. It can bend your wrist in unnatural ways.
I'd suggest you try pipers on the left too. Another option is to try a grip where your thumb is under the flute and fingers curved over it, rather than the flute resting on the base of your index finger. Have a look at Kevin Crawford and Patsy Hanley videos to see a couple different ways to approach left-hand grip if you can't do pipers. Kevin rests the flute on the tip of his thumb and arches his left-hand fingers over it. Patsy uses a similar grip, but flat-fingered.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by ElaineT
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
I would have guessed tendons. I don't want to tell you how to hold the left hand. For myself I flatten the fingers, rather than any arch.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Ben Steen
Thanks, Elaine.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Ben Steen
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
My advice also, is to try out different hand positions - you may find one which is more comfortable.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Bredna
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Thanks so much for the advice, will be experimenting with that. I've tried no change hand positions before, but I'm an awful creature of habit, will make a conscious effort with your nice comments!
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Patrick Olwell used to make small cane flutes in "D" - Brian Finnegan used to play one a lot with "Upstairs In A Tent", and in the early days of "Flook". I haven't seen one for a while, but it wouldn't have been much bigger than a Bb fife. No keys, of course, but that would be worth trying if you can find one - maybe easier said than done. They were also very cheap in those days, but are probably more expensive now that's he's no longer making them.
Best of luck in your search, "j".
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Kenny
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Another thought might be to talk with Terry McGee. He might be able to fill the R3 and maybe the L3 holes and re-drill them to a more comfortable offset position.
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by JPFlute
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
get a flute in Eb it will be smaller and react like a D flute. then, you could spend 15 hours a week on an Eb, and make up that extra 5 on a full sized flute. an F flute is a wonderful thing, btw...
# Posted on May 19th 2011 by daiv
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Have you thought of a piccolo? An octave higher just be careful as classical piccs are in C rather than D. Hammie Hammilton makes them and it might be the answer to your problems.
R
# Posted on May 23rd 2011 by RoisinD
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
The hole spacing can't be the problem for the left hand - this must be from the way you're supporting the flute.
Find a teacher. For this bit, it doesn't matter what genre of flute they teach. You need somebody watching you and giving you feedback on what you're doing. And if you've already got a teacher, get a different one.
# Posted on May 23rd 2011 by Jack Campin
Re: Smallest model flute (still pitched in D)?
Ya' think?
# Posted on May 23rd 2011 by Ben Steen