backflute- what is that?

Subject: backflute- what is that?
From: QRS
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 10:36 AM

A friend of mine heard someone on the radio mention something about a "BACKFLUTE".

Anyone who has a clue what it is???

Regards

QRS

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 11:43 AM

You've given Catspaw a real opening here! The man who blows up a possum's backside might also have a way of harnessing flatulence to another musical instrument.
If there is a serious musical answer, I'm sure one of the many flute/whistle 'Catters will tell you, but I bet Catspaw's answer will be more entertaining.
RtS (One who is not worthy except to sit at the cyberfeet of the master and admire his invention- a creep as well as a thread creeper!)::o)

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: paddymac
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 12:19 PM

Seems like there was a rather technical discussion of a similar variation on tin whistle in one of the tavern threads. My sides still hurt from that one.

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: Hummingbird
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 12:29 PM

Well, I have a flutemaker in my family, so I will ask him!!! LOL Hummer.

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: QRS
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 01:33 PM

I´m not sure if I really understand your answers... (i`m from Sweden..)

Is backflute a instrument or some kind of joke or what? ex FART etc?

please explain more!!

regards

QRS

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 01:57 PM

QRS, you are new to the Mudcat? Welcome and forgive us all our little "inside" jokes. The person they are all talking about, Catspaw, also known as 'Spaw, has an ocarina fashioned to look like an opossum. To play it, he blows up its backside. I am sure he will have a lot of fun with your question and that's what we are all anticipating. If you go to the Quick Links, click on bbcs Mudcat Resources page , then on pictures, you will find a picture of the ocarina, also known as, Cleigh O'Possum. The little guy has become an icon around here and was made by another Mudcatter, as a gift for 'Spaw.

On a more serious note, is it possible your friend might have misheard, and that it might be "Bach flute", instead? In what context did they hear this reference? Sorry, I've never heard the expression "backflute".

Someone on here is bound to have a helpful answer. Check back often, and like I said, Welcome to the Mudcat!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: Magpie
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 02:15 PM

It sounds to me as a side blown flute. Tvärr- flöjt.

If it's in connection with Irish music that could be it. They have sideblown flutes made of wood that sound absoluely wonderful (when you know how to play them!).

Magpie

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 02:31 PM

I have a whistle/flute with oriental-looking markings upon it. Its fingering holes are on what I consider the underside of the flute. In other words, the sound hole side is diametrically opposite the fingering holes. I have never figured out why. I suppose it might be a back(wards)flute. Gee, do ya think I may have been taken advantage of by the back alley salesman who sold it to me?

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: Barbara
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 02:52 PM

Tho I don't remember exactly what kind of flute or recorder it is, I'll bet the instrument your friend heard them talking about was a bockflaute,... or something like that. Does that jog anyone's memory?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: John of the Hill
Date: 13 Oct 99 - 11:36 PM

This maybe a bit of a stretch but I found this by doing a Sherlock search for 'backflute':The Kokopelli, legendary hump-backed flute player of rock-art origin, served the Hopi, Zuni, Anasazi and other Indian cultures as a symbol of courtship, fertility and peaceful trade... I thought this might fit the context of a radio show on different ethnic flutes. John

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: MudGuard
Date: 14 Oct 99 - 01:59 AM

Roger the Skiffer, wouldn't that be called flutulence?
Barbara, I don't know about a bockflaute, but there is (in German) a Blockflöte, which is called recorder in English.

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: Barbara
Date: 15 Oct 99 - 01:55 AM

That's it, Mudguard -- the word I was remembering hearing in a foreign language. Mind said "recorder" too, but the older I get, the less sure I am of what I "remember".
Probably my brain mixed that information up with the memory of those odd PVC whistles Gordon Bok used to make -- and I think he called them Bokflutes.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: QRS
Date: 15 Oct 99 - 10:49 AM

Thanks all of you Mudcatters!!

Thanks for your answers

To Katlaughing: Now i understand the joke about catspaw.. Thanks for your warm welcome to the Café even thou I have been here for at least a year(I don´t say so much!!)

Regards to you all!!!

QRS

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Oct 99 - 11:35 AM

Well QRS you should say more!!!

The Backflute is one of the oldest of the wind blown instuments and has a range virtually unmatched (and do keep matches away from it) by any other instrument. It is very easy to play although some have resisted the temptation to truly learn the art. The timbre of its colouratura sopranino voice and the richness of its basso profundo cannot be equalled. Unlike other wind blown instruments, the Backflute is noeither enhanced or dimished by size...and they are available in a wide number of sizes, so to speak. There are a number of true "Artistes" of the instrument, but one of the lesser known was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who imparted this love to his famous creation, the detective Sherlock Holmes. Indeed one of Holmes' most famous lines comes from his mastery of the Backflute. Upon hearing the mastery of Holmes and being in true awe of his abilities, his loyal companion Dr. Watson asked, "How do you DO it Holmes?"...To which Holmes replied............ you know what's coming don't you?................just wait for it................Okay then...Holmes replied, "Alimentary my good Watson!"

Spaw - whoistiredofbeingbadgeredforpostingjokesbeforethequestionisanswered

Subject: RE: backflute- what is that?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Oct 99 - 03:18 PM

Oh, 'Spawhoney, we're just a bunch of kids, tittering in the back of the room, in anticipation of your next brilliantly irreverent riposte. C'mon back here to the litter box and faeries with me and we'll spread some of that fertile mind stuff of yours around. Look! Fresh dirt, mmm.... smells so clean. This is gonna be fun!

luvyaKat