I am looking to purchase an Irish flute. I have been studying the Boehm flute for 12 years, and it is my major in college. Would anybody have any suggestions as to any specific models or makers?
The best thing to do is google "chiff and fipple" and head to the flute forum. Then just browse- that question has been asked and answered many, many times.
I can get you started with some names on the low end of the scale:
1) doug tipple PVC flute. These ae extremely inexpensive (<$100 USD) but sound good and are well made.
2) Casey Burns folk flute OR Ralph Sweet 2-piece model. These are both wooden, sound good, and run less than $300.
3) M & E Polymer flute. This will run in the neighborhood of $400-$500 depending on bells and whistles. I have one of these. I like its tone, playability, and volume. It is a great session flute. I don't like their weight (heavier) or balance as much, but it is a great, great starter flute
4) Seery Polymer - also a plastic tube with holes in it. They get excellent, excellent reviews. I have not played one
5) If you want real African blackwood or boxwood from a top maker, expect to spend anywhere from $600 to $1300 for a keyless model. I wouldn't spend that much on an Irish flute until I had more experience and knew what I was getting into. Also, many high-end makers have waiting lists in the months or years.
6) Stay AWAY from anything on Ebay without a reputable makers' name attached to it. Ditto for anything made in Pakistan.
7) Stay AWAY from the Dixon 2-piece model - a Tipple is a much better flute and cheaper too.
I'll second everything wormdiet says, especially about consulting the Chiff and Fipple flute list, it's a wonderful education!
I'm a former Boehm & recorder player. I started my simple system flute oddessy with one of Doug Tipple's early PVC flutes. They're honest instruments with good tone and excellent intonation. In fact, I upgraded from his early one-piece to a newer three piece flute and also got a little one in G to fool around with. For my serious flute, I have one of Ralph Sweet's keyless ones in Rosewood. Consensus is that the rosewood sounds better than the walnut or maple even though it costs a bit more, and it doesn't sound bad played with my teachers top-of-the-line Olwell. In fact, I've been happy enough with it that I'm planning to get one of his blackwood keyed models. There are fancier makers out there (eg Olwell), but they usually have a wait in the 2 - 10 year range for keyed flutes. Frankly, I'm never going to be in the professional category of players and I want the keys to be able to play non ITM stuff that falls outside of the keys of D & G and their manifold related modes.
I would second (or third) the recommendation regarding Patrick Olwell. I recently received a fully keyed olwell, which took ten years to get. There is no doubt that his flutes are among the very best out there. he'll make you a keyless in a year and, if you find a keyed flute you like in the mean time, you can alway resell his flute for at least what you paid for, but i doubt you'd want to ever part with it. Send me an email thru this site and I'll give you his number.
I make flutes from PVC that are very inexpensive. I'd be willing to let you try one out for the cost of shipping. If you're interested, e-mail me at jason@theburnfieldcastle.com and I'll send you photos and sound samples. They aren't high-end, but they are decent flutes at a great price. I've been making some from clear PVC with wine corks for stoppers, they look pretty neat and play well. They are made from thicker pipe than Doug Tipple's flutes, but they don't have machined tenon joints, I just use slip couplings to connect the head joint to the foot joint. I'm personally saving up for a Casey Burns Standard keyless (his relatively short wait time and upgradeability were major factors in my decision to go with him), but I'll always keep one of my own around just for fun, plus I can throw it in my briefcase and take it anywhere without fear of damage.
I played classical Boehm flute for 15 years before switching to playing ITM and simple system flute exclusively.
I am very pleased with my Copley flute, and the quality/waiting time ratio is pretty hard to beat. The price is reasonable, too.
Another excellent maker with top-notch, readily available instruments is Martin Doyle. http://www.crehans.ie/Flutes/FlutesMain.aspx
Also, check out:
www.firescribble.net/flute
I'd recommend getting a keyless flute with a tuning slide. You'll be set for years with a flute by either of these makers.
Remember if you get a wooden one, it will require attention during the dry winter months....not to scare you, but a cracked head joint in your nice wooden flute can be fixable but heartbreaking. A little preventative humidifying will be helpful.
Check out Phil Bleazey's Flutes, I just got one and I love it. The price is right around $600 and no wait if you like what he has in stock. Wormdiet has given you the best answer.
Casey Burns' standard models are safe bets. But, let me mention another good flute maker, Mark Hoza. His keyless model with 3 joints is just $395. It's really beautiful in terms of tones and looks. He isn't so well-known as C. Burns, and so you'll wait for shorter time. Visit his website: http://www.woodenflutemaker.com/DFlutes.html
I agree with the note above recommending you to Brad Hurley's web-site, www.firescribble.net/flute. Brad is an astonishingly good source of information and contacts, and reading through his web-site will be both overwhelming and enlightening. There are numerous options available these days, and it is likely that you will find yourself attracted to various instruments as you learn your way into the process. Speaking from experience, I would strongly recommend starting out with a keyless flute that is tuneable (i.e., has a tuning slide); and take the time to try out several different ones so that you can determine whether you want one that is a small-holed, R&R-type or a larger-holed Pratten type. Good luck!
Flute to purchase
Flute to purchase
I am looking to purchase an Irish flute. I have been studying the Boehm flute for 12 years, and it is my major in college. Would anybody have any suggestions as to any specific models or makers?
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by ReelinUSA
Re: Flute to purchase
How much do you want to spend?
The best thing to do is google "chiff and fipple" and head to the flute forum. Then just browse- that question has been asked and answered many, many times.
I can get you started with some names on the low end of the scale:
1) doug tipple PVC flute. These ae extremely inexpensive (<$100 USD) but sound good and are well made.
2) Casey Burns folk flute OR Ralph Sweet 2-piece model. These are both wooden, sound good, and run less than $300.
3) M & E Polymer flute. This will run in the neighborhood of $400-$500 depending on bells and whistles. I have one of these. I like its tone, playability, and volume. It is a great session flute. I don't like their weight (heavier) or balance as much, but it is a great, great starter flute
4) Seery Polymer - also a plastic tube with holes in it. They get excellent, excellent reviews. I have not played one
5) If you want real African blackwood or boxwood from a top maker, expect to spend anywhere from $600 to $1300 for a keyless model. I wouldn't spend that much on an Irish flute until I had more experience and knew what I was getting into. Also, many high-end makers have waiting lists in the months or years.
6) Stay AWAY from anything on Ebay without a reputable makers' name attached to it. Ditto for anything made in Pakistan.
7) Stay AWAY from the Dixon 2-piece model - a Tipple is a much better flute and cheaper too.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by wormdiet
Re: Flute to purchase
I reccomend checking out Dave Copley in CIncinnati, Ohio. Excellent maker with many satified - well known - customers.
Check him out onlie at http://www.celticlands.com/page3.html
Dave is a great guy, skilled craftsman and very knowledgeable about the music.
Ken
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by RogueFiddler
Re: Flute to purchase
I'll second everything wormdiet says, especially about consulting the Chiff and Fipple flute list, it's a wonderful education!
I'm a former Boehm & recorder player. I started my simple system flute oddessy with one of Doug Tipple's early PVC flutes. They're honest instruments with good tone and excellent intonation. In fact, I upgraded from his early one-piece to a newer three piece flute and also got a little one in G to fool around with. For my serious flute, I have one of Ralph Sweet's keyless ones in Rosewood. Consensus is that the rosewood sounds better than the walnut or maple even though it costs a bit more, and it doesn't sound bad played with my teachers top-of-the-line Olwell. In fact, I've been happy enough with it that I'm planning to get one of his blackwood keyed models. There are fancier makers out there (eg Olwell), but they usually have a wait in the 2 - 10 year range for keyed flutes. Frankly, I'm never going to be in the professional category of players and I want the keys to be able to play non ITM stuff that falls outside of the keys of D & G and their manifold related modes.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by KateG
Re: Flute to purchase
I would second (or third) the recommendation regarding Patrick Olwell. I recently received a fully keyed olwell, which took ten years to get. There is no doubt that his flutes are among the very best out there. he'll make you a keyless in a year and, if you find a keyed flute you like in the mean time, you can alway resell his flute for at least what you paid for, but i doubt you'd want to ever part with it. Send me an email thru this site and I'll give you his number.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by Brendan
Re: Flute to purchase
I make flutes from PVC that are very inexpensive. I'd be willing to let you try one out for the cost of shipping. If you're interested, e-mail me at jason@theburnfieldcastle.com and I'll send you photos and sound samples. They aren't high-end, but they are decent flutes at a great price. I've been making some from clear PVC with wine corks for stoppers, they look pretty neat and play well. They are made from thicker pipe than Doug Tipple's flutes, but they don't have machined tenon joints, I just use slip couplings to connect the head joint to the foot joint. I'm personally saving up for a Casey Burns Standard keyless (his relatively short wait time and upgradeability were major factors in my decision to go with him), but I'll always keep one of my own around just for fun, plus I can throw it in my briefcase and take it anywhere without fear of damage.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by jasonlburnfield
Re: Flute to purchase
I played classical Boehm flute for 15 years before switching to playing ITM and simple system flute exclusively.
I am very pleased with my Copley flute, and the quality/waiting time ratio is pretty hard to beat. The price is reasonable, too.
Another excellent maker with top-notch, readily available instruments is Martin Doyle.
http://www.crehans.ie/Flutes/FlutesMain.aspx
Also, check out:
www.firescribble.net/flute
I'd recommend getting a keyless flute with a tuning slide. You'll be set for years with a flute by either of these makers.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by Tintin
Re: Flute to purchase
Remember if you get a wooden one, it will require attention during the dry winter months....not to scare you, but a cracked head joint in your nice wooden flute can be fixable but heartbreaking. A little preventative humidifying will be helpful.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by dragonfiddle
Re: Flute to purchase
Check out Phil Bleazey's Flutes, I just got one and I love it. The price is right around $600 and no wait if you like what he has in stock. Wormdiet has given you the best answer.
# Posted on January 20th 2006 by Unseen122
Re: Flute to purchase
Casey Burns' standard models are safe bets. But, let me mention another good flute maker, Mark Hoza. His keyless model with 3 joints is just $395. It's really beautiful in terms of tones and looks. He isn't so well-known as C. Burns, and so you'll wait for shorter time. Visit his website: http://www.woodenflutemaker.com/DFlutes.html
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by slainte
Re: Flute to purchase
I agree with the note above recommending you to Brad Hurley's web-site, www.firescribble.net/flute. Brad is an astonishingly good source of information and contacts, and reading through his web-site will be both overwhelming and enlightening. There are numerous options available these days, and it is likely that you will find yourself attracted to various instruments as you learn your way into the process. Speaking from experience, I would strongly recommend starting out with a keyless flute that is tuneable (i.e., has a tuning slide); and take the time to try out several different ones so that you can determine whether you want one that is a small-holed, R&R-type or a larger-holed Pratten type. Good luck!
# Posted on January 21st 2006 by yarrowflute