Help: Wooden flute info

Subject: Wooden flute info
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 04:06 AM

My daughter Hannah (she's 13) would like to start learning the Irish flute and we have an Irish club here in Brussels where someone would be willing to teach her.

As a strings player I'm not knowledgeable on the flute but I know lot of 'Catters are.

Any ideas on reasonable (but not top flight for a starter) makes. If I find a good secondhand one that needs work that's not a problem as I can repair cracks, pins, fix new pads or replace cork joints myself.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Peace

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden flute info
From: Ireland Mike(Inactive)
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 04:53 AM

Hi If you try the links below you will get lots of info on what to buy and what to look for. A good starter, inexpensive flute is the Tony Dixon model from Hobgoblin the GR2155. Don't be put of by the fact that its plastic -you don't have to oil it, worry about someone sitting on it. or dropping it and it has a lovely tone. I bought one a couple of summers ago and it started me on the road to flute playing. I now have an M&E flute and a Sam Murry flute, however I keep messing around with the Dixon flute.

Good luck

Mike

http://www.sover.net/~bhurley/flute.html

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~mandeflutes/Contents.htm

http://listen.to/whistleflute

http://www.woodenflute.com/

http://www.hobgoblin.com/flute.htm

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden flute info
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 23 Sep 00 - 09:35 AM

I made and play what I consider to be an "Irish Flute" in low "G"- but it is a "primitive" style with 6 open holes and no valves. If your Daughter is yet a child with small hands, she will have difficulty covering open holes of all but smaller instruments. Have you considered a fife? No, really; in the lower registers (not all Corps fifes are designed to play down there so you need to be selective) a fife has a lovely soft flute-like sound. They were fairly popular in Colonial and early Victorian times for parlor and church as well as the Battlefield. Although limited in key, the fingering is relatively simple (lowered frustration level for young beginners) and is essentially the same as for the pennyWhistle. The main challange - especially for kids - is the ambrochure, but once that is learned it can be transferred over to a full - sized flute when the child is ready. Good plastic or maple beginner fifes can be had for under $15 as I recall. Try Cooperman's for a start.

Subject: RE: Help: Wooden flute info
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 24 Sep 00 - 01:05 PM

Many thanks Ireland Mike and Uncle Jaque...useful addresses and advice and much appreciated.

All the best

mcmoo