Chiff and Fipple Forums

Another positive aspect to this thread is the realisation how much humidity conditions vary for folks.

I just looked at my humidity meter in the room where I store my flutes and it's currently reading 47%. I doubt it ever goes out of the range 42-52% here.

Length of time practicing? It's a personal thing and I can only speak for myself. The duration of my practice seems to find natural limits. No more than 10 or 15 minutes at the very beginning (I experienced hand discomfort) and then lengthening to typically around 30 minutes (without discomfort) by...

It was suggested that I purchased Larsen’s book and find it somewhat helpful. At what point in time should I begin trying out some of the Ornamentations? If you all could imagine yourselves as beginners again how would you recommend setting up an efficient practice session or routine? Doable Tunes?...

gwuilleann wrote:To each their own, but I find it difficult to understand why anyone would leave a wooden flute assembled.

Because I've never encountered or envisaged a problem. I guess climate has a lot to do with it?

But I am going to modify what I do in light of advice. Lowering risk makes sense.

I take on board the advice of folks who have longer experience than I have. The climate here is not dry. I also monitor room humidity. But on the advice provided I'm going to find a compromise; keep my flute assembled and on a stand during the day for ease of access, but dissemble and put it back in...

My keyless wooden flute stays assembled throughout the day, and often overnight too on a stand. I do swab it out between practice sessions. It has never occurred to me not to do this. I clean and oil it with almond oil every month or so and keep the cork joints greased. I've never had any problem fr...

My Turnpike Gate is 6/8 and pick-up and first two bars: A|DFA dfe|dcd ecA|

Shaving Baby With A Spoon, hah! I love some of these tune names!

Thought it might be nice to share the tune/set that is our current favourite or focus of learning and helping get us through this strange session-lite* time. My current favourite is Turnpike Gate, but not the familiar reel. This is an English jig in D from an 18th century manuscript of dance tunes. ...

TG4 is running a new series of Sé Mo Laoch, next sunday Patsy Hanly will be the subject. One not to miss (link goes to the trailer, after Sunday go to Sé Mo Laoch for the new series and episodes so far plus a few from the previous season). Thank you for the heads up on these programmes. What a joy....

I tried but couldn't catch 'en.

Obviously I can't run as fast as I used to.

No chance to swipe one out of a Morris dancer's hat at the moment either.

We don't have a "yard". * * said in a voice dripping with scorn A garden here is the whole caboodle; veg patch, flower beds, lawn or more commonly these days decking, patio, barbecue area, kids trampoline and jacuzzi. The only distinction we make is front or back garden. Neighbours would ...

Thanks. Now I can’t un-see that album cover.

Or understand how it’s possible to work up that kind’ve sweat playing a flute? He must’ve been snapped on a breather from double digging his allotment.

Not that popular round these parts.

Not since Reg the naturist box player was taken to A&E.

As we say here: once bitten, twice shy.

I’m another who stands and walks about when I practice. The room I practice in has hardwood flooring and a low ceiling and the acoustics are pretty good. I haven’t tried playing in other parts of our house. My guess is the soft furnishings elsewhere would deaden the sound to some extent.

...make sure the flute is not too high on your lower lip. If it's too high, the tone will be thin and you won't have any flexibility at all. I found the first part of this video very helpful. gwuilleann's link to a resource where the teacher discusses flexibility kind've lets us look at embouchure ...