Very basic question, I came into possession of a six hole keyless D. MacMahon of Miltown flute which plays like a tin whistle.
I ask plainly what does the addition of keys do to a flute?
I observe that flute greats like Molloy or Seamus Tansey use keyed flutes. Does this imply that a changeover to a flute with keys is part of the process, or are there wonderful players who play on keyless flutes?
The "only" thing keys add is the ability to play in more keys than (in the case of a D-flute) D, G and related minors.
I bet Molloy & Co would rip on unkeyed flutes as well, but you won't be stranded when a tune containing the odd F-nat, Eb or G# etc.
Keys give you more flexibility (some add more tones you can play, some make it less awkward to play some of the sounds for which you'd need to refer to half-holing, cross-fingering etc.).
Makes it thus easier to play in scales less usual for Irish music.
You can play most of tunes perfectly well on the keyless. I guess professional musicians prefer to be more flexible in their playing.
Quite a few of the top players seem to use the G# key for an extra little ornament, flicking of the G# as they play an A. There are one or two other things that you can do with keys, but mostly I think it's what Mr_Blackwood says.
Plus, as everyone knows, they help stop the flute rolling off the table.
There are several good reasons to have a keyed flute:
1. The middle C key has much better intonation than the cross fingering needed on a keyless flute. For some passages, it is also easier to finger.
2. The F natural key is handy for some tunes, especially Give Me Your Hand, which is quite popular in these parts.
3. The D sharp key allows for a nice step down on some slow tunes that dress up the sound.
4. You lack the low C# and C on a keyless, which I use quite frequently when playing ballads.
I played keyless flutes for many years before I got my eight-key. You can certainly live without the keys, but if you love playing flute, you should have every advantage the instrument can provide. Why go for less?
You can certainly live without keys on a flute. For that matter you can live without a flute. But just as life is more fun with a flute, so is a flute more fun with keys.
Yes, there are wonderful players who don't have keys on their flutes, or don't use them eve if they do have them. Catherine McEvoy is one. Seamus Tansey doesn't use what keys, if any, are left on his old Rudall. Mike McGoldrick plays a keyless flute. Mike Rafferty. Lots of other players.
Half-holing is good if you want to slide quickly on/off the note.
Otherwise it's frustrating. The keys are good for tweaking the
sound or pitch of particular notes too - I did that extensively in
my clarinet - playing days and I assume it works on these simple
system flutes too. I don't have the cash to find out though
Whistle players don't have the option of keys, and they seem like a happy lot. Keys have a role, but they're far from essential for a vast portion of the repertoire.
I have a bunch of keyless ones (in various keys) by the same manufacturer, they were made in London in the later part of the 19th century but is as much as I can tell you. They never caught on, did they?
Keys on Flutes.
Keys on Flutes.
Very basic question, I came into possession of a six hole keyless D. MacMahon of Miltown flute which plays like a tin whistle.
I ask plainly what does the addition of keys do to a flute?
I observe that flute greats like Molloy or Seamus Tansey use keyed flutes. Does this imply that a changeover to a flute with keys is part of the process, or are there wonderful players who play on keyless flutes?
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Surly Boy
Re: Keys on Flutes.
The "only" thing keys add is the ability to play in more keys than (in the case of a D-flute) D, G and related minors.
I bet Molloy & Co would rip on unkeyed flutes as well, but you won't be stranded when a tune containing the odd F-nat, Eb or G# etc.
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Mr_Blackwood
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Keys give you more flexibility (some add more tones you can play, some make it less awkward to play some of the sounds for which you'd need to refer to half-holing, cross-fingering etc.).
Makes it thus easier to play in scales less usual for Irish music.
You can play most of tunes perfectly well on the keyless. I guess professional musicians prefer to be more flexible in their playing.
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Janek
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Quite a few of the top players seem to use the G# key for an extra little ornament, flicking of the G# as they play an A. There are one or two other things that you can do with keys, but mostly I think it's what Mr_Blackwood says.
Plus, as everyone knows, they help stop the flute rolling off the table.
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by ethical blend
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Yeah, I forgot about that rolling-off thing. Very useful, if you were not prudent enough to order a flute that is rectangular in cross-section.
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Janek
Re: Keys on Flutes.
"if you were not prudent enough to order a flute that is rectangular in cross-section. "
Or was clever enough to order a keyless one with blocks for later addition of keys : )
(No i didn't think of that at the time myself..)
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Mr_Blackwood
Re: Keys on Flutes.
The rolling flute problem is why bodhran players are always welcome at our sessions: "Here, hold this". Very useful.
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Keys on Flutes.
There are several good reasons to have a keyed flute:
1. The middle C key has much better intonation than the cross fingering needed on a keyless flute. For some passages, it is also easier to finger.
2. The F natural key is handy for some tunes, especially Give Me Your Hand, which is quite popular in these parts.
3. The D sharp key allows for a nice step down on some slow tunes that dress up the sound.
4. You lack the low C# and C on a keyless, which I use quite frequently when playing ballads.
I played keyless flutes for many years before I got my eight-key. You can certainly live without the keys, but if you love playing flute, you should have every advantage the instrument can provide. Why go for less?
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by Ailin
Re: Keys on Flutes.
You can certainly live without keys on a flute. For that matter you can live without a flute. But just as life is more fun with a flute, so is a flute more fun with keys.
Yes, there are wonderful players who don't have keys on their flutes, or don't use them eve if they do have them. Catherine McEvoy is one. Seamus Tansey doesn't use what keys, if any, are left on his old Rudall. Mike McGoldrick plays a keyless flute. Mike Rafferty. Lots of other players.
# Posted on August 22nd 2011 by David Levine
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Half-holing is good if you want to slide quickly on/off the note.
Otherwise it's frustrating. The keys are good for tweaking the
sound or pitch of particular notes too - I did that extensively in
my clarinet - playing days and I assume it works on these simple
system flutes too. I don't have the cash to find out though
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by Hup
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Whistle players don't have the option of keys, and they seem like a happy lot. Keys have a role, but they're far from essential for a vast portion of the repertoire.
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by mcswiss
Re: Keys on Flutes.
I have this:
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii19/Kilfarboy/KeyedWhistle.jpg
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Brilliant! How does it play?
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by mcswiss
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Fine
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Wow, Prof! I've got one just like it. Do you know anything about it?
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by ethical blend
Re: Keys on Flutes.
I have a bunch of keyless ones (in various keys) by the same manufacturer, they were made in London in the later part of the 19th century but is as much as I can tell you. They never caught on, did they?
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Is yours marked "Barnes and Samuel"? Mine is. Looks just the same.
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by ethical blend
Re: Keys on Flutes.
No, it's a different make.
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Curious ... I'll put a picture up of mine at some point, if I get the energy ... Mine isn't quite in playing condition, mind ...
# Posted on August 23rd 2011 by ethical blend
Re: Keys on Flutes.
The keys keep the flute from rolling off the table when you go to the jacks.
# Posted on August 27th 2011 by Bull
Re: Keys on Flutes.
Gosh! I wish I'd thought of that.
# Posted on August 27th 2011 by ethical blend