Do you *have* to learn whistle before you learn flute? Do you get any benefit from doing one and then the other? Can anyone comment on going to straight to flute or going from whistle to flute?
I'm just curious. I have a daughter that wants to play flute.
If your daughter is young (with small hands) a whistle will be easir to hold and finger the notes on. And the fingering is the same as on a keyless flute.
Otherwise, the embochure is totally different, and the breathing can be considerably different.
In my fairly limited experience on whistle and flute (about two years on one, and 1.5 years on the other), it doesn't hurt to learn both, but neither do you have to do whistle first.
As a music teacher, I've long recommended that people learn the instrument that's calling their name--if the sound of a flute is what grabs her heartstrings, then why not start there?
I started playing silver flute in sixth grade (whatever age that is), with closed hole keys. That accomodates small hands better, though it takes some effort to convert over to open holes later.
And I can guarantee she'll get dizzier starting on flute!
But Will's last paragraph does sum it up -- it's certainly "doable", and she's more likely to stick with it if the instrument is her choice.
That is to say, closed hole keys on a flute accomodate small hands better than open hole keys or just open holes. Will's right in that the whistle is easier in that respect...
i did them same thing as Cahr B, started when i was pretty young on flute(silver). 7 years later i pick a whistle for the first time and i find it the easiest instrument ive ever played(except cowbell maybe). Flute is definately harder though can't argue with that....
-Breandan
If your daughter is young and has small hands, it's either whistle or boehm system flute. She's not going to be able to cover the holes on a simple system flute. If she wants to play Irish music, the whistle must be a better bet. Otherwise she'll be off playing jazz with the wide boys before you know it. And who knows where that will lead ....
Armaghfan - high whistles certainly are easy...try going to a low whistle though, and getting it to sound good. (there's unfortunately a lacking of players who actually know how to play the low-d whistle, or so I've observed. feel free to argue with me)
This probably won't help her if she wants to play with other folks, but I learned on an Olwell Bb bamboo flute (basically a fife) that I picked up at the Maryland RennFest many years ago. I ignored what the actual notes were that were coming out and pretended it was a normal D flute. That way I had the fingering and embochure right when I was ready for the full-sized flute.
Of course, that probably fouled up my ear as far as learning by listening, but that's the least of my problems.
If you'd like to give that a try and can't find one of these flutes locally, send me an email. I've still got the flute and it doesn't get any use any more.
To go with what Thom said, you can also get D folk fifes or high D bamboo fifes in various places (Ralph Sweet makes very nice high D folk fifes/pics).
I've never tried it, but Casey Burns folk flute seems very attractive: http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/ff.php It's certainly better than Ralph Sweet high D folk fife, which I found very hard to play.
Breandan wrote: i find it [whistle] the easiest instrument ive ever played.... Flute is definately harder though can't argue with. I disagree. It's definitely easier to make noise on the whistle for the first time, but it's harder to control the breathing and the intonation on it. I think whistle needs more accuracy. Don't know, but one thing is sure: whistle and flute are different.
Well, I played the boehm system flute for 4 years before I started on whistle, and although the finger and producing of the sound is easier on the whistle, I would say start with flute, especially if that's what she wants to play. Also, the flute is more disiplined and might make her think about breath control, where to breath (as you need more air for the flute) and posture, which she might not do on the histle.
I suggest flute. To me, it is a much more satisfying instrument because of the different tonal color you can produce with it. Also, it has a much fuller sound. It is more of a challenge to play, but if the size of her hands are not an issue, I think she'll feel more of a sense of accomplishment in learning flute, which may help to keep her motivated. If her interest is trad, I don't recommend a Boehm (silver) flute. The technique is very different, and she will be disappointed when she finds how much more air it takes to play a wooden flute. Better she should start with what she'll end with. Just be sure to get her a good instrument or she won't know whether the problems are hers or the instrument's.
I'm not totally sure, but don't some makers make flutes that accomodate smaller hands. May whistle makers do this with low whistles, I just thought perhaps the same could be done with flutes?
To summarise, go for the flute if your daughter's hands are big enough.
As far as I know, Casey Burns and Mark Hoza makes flutes for small hands. I've already mention Burns folk flute, which seems the best for beginning flute players. I myself play Mark Hoza's keyless D flute for small hands, which is beautiful in terms of tones and looks: http://www.woodenflutemaker.com/DFlutes.html
I started with the folk flute last May and got a pennywhistle to use while I began to find the fingering and my lungs. It's the flute sound I like, though, so I have focused there. I like to pick up the whistle occasionally and know I should do lots more work there.
I've read elsewhere on this board that one must begin with whistle, perfect it, then proceed with the flute. If I took that route, I'd look for a low whistle. If that would be permissible.
A belated addition to this thread, concerning cost. A decent whistle can be had for £5 (under $10), while a half-decent wooden flute will set you back about £100 or more. Buying a whistle is, IMHO, a no brainer for a would-be flautist, so if you're unsure of your daughter's long-term committment to the flute, why risk £100 when £5 would suffice.
If the risk doesn't bother you (you wealthy thing, you!) then get both and let HER decide.
The money is not important, it's the desire. Make her work for it, don't just hand it to her on a plate. Let her start on the whistle and let her realize in her own time that what she should really want is a flute
hi plastic yamatha fifie is alot easier to play than the altos one my parents sadly bought a atlos when i was 7 and i really struggled now at 34 i have been playing silver flute 2 years and purchased fifes ( handy when traveling and i like the sound) the yamaha is the one to buy its about seven quid i have just this week been given a low whistle to try (in d) and find this really hard compared to my flute. i think my small are abit small for the d
Whistle before Flute?
Whistle before Flute?
Do you *have* to learn whistle before you learn flute? Do you get any benefit from doing one and then the other? Can anyone comment on going to straight to flute or going from whistle to flute?
I'm just curious. I have a daughter that wants to play flute.
Thank you!
Keyton
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by keytonw
Re: Whistle before Flute?
If your daughter is young (with small hands) a whistle will be easir to hold and finger the notes on. And the fingering is the same as on a keyless flute.
Otherwise, the embochure is totally different, and the breathing can be considerably different.
In my fairly limited experience on whistle and flute (about two years on one, and 1.5 years on the other), it doesn't hurt to learn both, but neither do you have to do whistle first.
As a music teacher, I've long recommended that people learn the instrument that's calling their name--if the sound of a flute is what grabs her heartstrings, then why not start there?
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: Whistle before Flute?
Sorry...typing in the dark,,,spelling gone to smithereens.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: Whistle before Flute?
I started playing silver flute in sixth grade (whatever age that is), with closed hole keys. That accomodates small hands better, though it takes some effort to convert over to open holes later.
And I can guarantee she'll get dizzier starting on flute!
But Will's last paragraph does sum it up -- it's certainly "doable", and she's more likely to stick with it if the instrument is her choice.
Good luck to her...
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Char B
Re: Whistle before Flute?
That is to say, closed hole keys on a flute accomodate small hands better than open hole keys or just open holes. Will's right in that the whistle is easier in that respect...
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Char B
Re: Whistle before Flute?
i did them same thing as Cahr B, started when i was pretty young on flute(silver). 7 years later i pick a whistle for the first time and i find it the easiest instrument ive ever played(except cowbell maybe). Flute is definately harder though can't argue with that....
-Breandan
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by armaghfan
Re: Whistle before Flute?
If your daughter is young and has small hands, it's either whistle or boehm system flute. She's not going to be able to cover the holes on a simple system flute. If she wants to play Irish music, the whistle must be a better bet. Otherwise she'll be off playing jazz with the wide boys before you know it. And who knows where that will lead ....
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Whistle before Flute?
Armaghfan - I've been trying to get Sonny's Mazurka on the cowbell for years and I still haven't managed to get past the first note.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by ragaman
Re: Whistle before Flute?
Armaghfan - high whistles certainly are easy...try going to a low whistle though, and getting it to sound good. (there's unfortunately a lacking of players who actually know how to play the low-d whistle, or so I've observed. feel free to argue with me)
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by sifudave54
Re: Whistle before Flute?
This probably won't help her if she wants to play with other folks, but I learned on an Olwell Bb bamboo flute (basically a fife) that I picked up at the Maryland RennFest many years ago. I ignored what the actual notes were that were coming out and pretended it was a normal D flute. That way I had the fingering and embochure right when I was ready for the full-sized flute.
Of course, that probably fouled up my ear as far as learning by listening, but that's the least of my problems.
If you'd like to give that a try and can't find one of these flutes locally, send me an email. I've still got the flute and it doesn't get any use any more.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by thomdecarlo
Re: Whistle before Flute?
To go with what Thom said, you can also get D folk fifes or high D bamboo fifes in various places (Ralph Sweet makes very nice high D folk fifes/pics).
Eric
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Jayhawk
Re: Whistle before Flute?
I've never tried it, but Casey Burns folk flute seems very attractive: http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/ff.php It's certainly better than Ralph Sweet high D folk fife, which I found very hard to play.
Breandan wrote: i find it [whistle] the easiest instrument ive ever played.... Flute is definately harder though can't argue with. I disagree. It's definitely easier to make noise on the whistle for the first time, but it's harder to control the breathing and the intonation on it. I think whistle needs more accuracy. Don't know, but one thing is sure: whistle and flute are different.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by slainte
Re: Whistle before Flute?
Well, I played the boehm system flute for 4 years before I started on whistle, and although the finger and producing of the sound is easier on the whistle, I would say start with flute, especially if that's what she wants to play. Also, the flute is more disiplined and might make her think about breath control, where to breath (as you need more air for the flute) and posture, which she might not do on the histle.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Folkie Junkie
Re: Whistle before Flute?
Histle???
What the hell is a histle???
God I'm going down hill faster than I thought.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Folkie Junkie
Re: Whistle before Flute?
And how old is your daughter anyway?
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Folkie Junkie
Re: Whistle before Flute?
I suggest flute. To me, it is a much more satisfying instrument because of the different tonal color you can produce with it. Also, it has a much fuller sound. It is more of a challenge to play, but if the size of her hands are not an issue, I think she'll feel more of a sense of accomplishment in learning flute, which may help to keep her motivated. If her interest is trad, I don't recommend a Boehm (silver) flute. The technique is very different, and she will be disappointed when she finds how much more air it takes to play a wooden flute. Better she should start with what she'll end with. Just be sure to get her a good instrument or she won't know whether the problems are hers or the instrument's.
# Posted on January 8th 2005 by Ailin
Re: Whistle before Flute?
I'm not totally sure, but don't some makers make flutes that accomodate smaller hands. May whistle makers do this with low whistles, I just thought perhaps the same could be done with flutes?
# Posted on January 8th 2005 by CaliforniaPiper
Re: Whistle before Flute?
To summarise, go for the flute if your daughter's hands are big enough.
As far as I know, Casey Burns and Mark Hoza makes flutes for small hands. I've already mention Burns folk flute, which seems the best for beginning flute players. I myself play Mark Hoza's keyless D flute for small hands, which is beautiful in terms of tones and looks: http://www.woodenflutemaker.com/DFlutes.html
# Posted on January 8th 2005 by slainte
Re: Whistle before Flute?
To agree, go for the flute.
I started with the folk flute last May and got a pennywhistle to use while I began to find the fingering and my lungs. It's the flute sound I like, though, so I have focused there. I like to pick up the whistle occasionally and know I should do lots more work there.
I've read elsewhere on this board that one must begin with whistle, perfect it, then proceed with the flute. If I took that route, I'd look for a low whistle. If that would be permissible.
# Posted on January 9th 2005 by scott.r
Re: Whistle before Flute?
A belated addition to this thread, concerning cost. A decent whistle can be had for £5 (under $10), while a half-decent wooden flute will set you back about £100 or more. Buying a whistle is, IMHO, a no brainer for a would-be flautist, so if you're unsure of your daughter's long-term committment to the flute, why risk £100 when £5 would suffice.
If the risk doesn't bother you (you wealthy thing, you!) then get both and let HER decide.
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by eddie the piper
Re: Whistle before Flute?
The money is not important, it's the desire. Make her work for it, don't just hand it to her on a plate. Let her start on the whistle and let her realize in her own time that what she should really want is a flute
# Posted on September 20th 2005 by llig leahcim
Re: Whistle before Flute?
hi plastic yamatha fifie is alot easier to play than the altos one my parents sadly bought a atlos when i was 7 and i really struggled now at 34 i have been playing silver flute 2 years and purchased fifes ( handy when traveling and i like the sound) the yamaha is the one to buy its about seven quid i have just this week been given a low whistle to try (in d) and find this really hard compared to my flute. i think my small are abit small for the d
# Posted on February 29th 2008 by monkey flute