I'll weigh in on the Olwell Bamboo side.
I have a left handed Olwell Bamboo in F. It is a great flute to start on. Patrick cuts the embouchure to be played by a south paw and the holes are ofset to cater to the left hander.
And for wood flutes, Patrick Olwell and Hammy Hammilton both make left handed flutes with KEYES. Hammy charges a littl more for lefty as it increases set up time on his machinery.
Back to the bamboo, it sounds great. It is also loud. At least twice as loud as one of those Pakistani junkers. Much better in tune as well.
For the price range (under $400 us) I don't think you can find a better flute. I payed $72 for my F that inclued shipping.
Other changes about whistle to flute. Your lips can change the pitch a lot more than on a whistle. I hear you correct this when you play with other musicians without thinking about it (you know when you are out of tune).
Whistle to Flute Transition
-
WhistlingGypsy
- Posts: 566
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Ottawa, Canada - Originally from Galway,
- Contact:
and the hole on the flute that you do the thing with your lips to.-
Mark_J
- Posts: 405
- Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Delaware
It means several things actually. . .
First, the more general use. Wind instrument players often have the ability(need) to control the muscles in their face & throat, their tongue, lips and teeth to control their instrument. Reed players, horn player, and flute players all have different sets of skills needed. They are not directly transferable between instruments, but I hear knowing any one will help you learn another instrument by have better muscle control via better nerve-muscle coordiantion.
Flute players have a use of the word embouchre that applies to their instrument. The hole that you blow in can be called "the embouchure" of the flute. They are not just holes (unless you purchased a flute made in Pakistan). They are not symmetrical. They have different angles in the cuts made to give them a three dimensional shape. Hammy has a good description on his site when you look for the left handed flute option of his section.
At least, that's my understanding of the word and it's uses. There are better thinks out on some of the flute sites, but I don't remember where they are now.
First, the more general use. Wind instrument players often have the ability(need) to control the muscles in their face & throat, their tongue, lips and teeth to control their instrument. Reed players, horn player, and flute players all have different sets of skills needed. They are not directly transferable between instruments, but I hear knowing any one will help you learn another instrument by have better muscle control via better nerve-muscle coordiantion.
Flute players have a use of the word embouchre that applies to their instrument. The hole that you blow in can be called "the embouchure" of the flute. They are not just holes (unless you purchased a flute made in Pakistan). They are not symmetrical. They have different angles in the cuts made to give them a three dimensional shape. Hammy has a good description on his site when you look for the left handed flute option of his section.
At least, that's my understanding of the word and it's uses. There are better thinks out on some of the flute sites, but I don't remember where they are now.
-
WhistlingGypsy
- Posts: 566
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Ottawa, Canada - Originally from Galway,
- Contact:
-
Mark_J
- Posts: 405
- Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Delaware
<img border="0" src="http://www.chiffandfipple.com/olwellx4.jpg" width="583" height="239">
The one I own looks much better than these. Almost irridescent. They are also very smooth and smell nice.
<a href="http://www.chiffandfipple.com/olwell.ht ... ell.htm</a>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mark_J on 2001-08-22 13:52 ]</font>
The one I own looks much better than these. Almost irridescent. They are also very smooth and smell nice.
<a href="http://www.chiffandfipple.com/olwell.ht ... ell.htm</a>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mark_J on 2001-08-22 13:52 ]</font>
-
WhistlingGypsy
- Posts: 566
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Ottawa, Canada - Originally from Galway,
- Contact:
Loren/Jessie or anyone else who might know!
What do you think of this deal?
http://cgi.ca.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI ... 60477#BID1
Thanks,
Gerry
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: WhistlingGypsy on 2001-08-22 14:29 ]</font>
What do you think of this deal?
http://cgi.ca.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI ... 60477#BID1
Thanks,
Gerry
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: WhistlingGypsy on 2001-08-22 14:29 ]</font>
-
Mark_J
- Posts: 405
- Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Delaware
I have one.
The most expensive piece of fire wood I ever purchased. Even a Generation whistle of the worst quality control would be 100x better than that piece of ... from Pakistan. They are not in tune with themselves. I even had Glenn Schultz work on it. He did his best. The first octive is in tune. The second octive us useless. I do not believe that anyone could blow it in tune.
Do yourself a favor. If you really want a musical instrument of that quality, make one yourself with this method. Drink a case of black label beer. Rip down a curtain rod. Use a hammer and a nail to place six holes in it (it doesn't matter where). Then use a fire ax to cut an embouchrue. If you were careless enough, it will sound as bad.
The most expensive piece of fire wood I ever purchased. Even a Generation whistle of the worst quality control would be 100x better than that piece of ... from Pakistan. They are not in tune with themselves. I even had Glenn Schultz work on it. He did his best. The first octive is in tune. The second octive us useless. I do not believe that anyone could blow it in tune.
Do yourself a favor. If you really want a musical instrument of that quality, make one yourself with this method. Drink a case of black label beer. Rip down a curtain rod. Use a hammer and a nail to place six holes in it (it doesn't matter where). Then use a fire ax to cut an embouchrue. If you were careless enough, it will sound as bad.
-
Mark_J
- Posts: 405
- Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Delaware
About my post. It was not about the seller. It was about that manufacture of flute. If the seller doesn't know how to play a flute, it's not their fault that they are selling it.
My conscience will not allow me to sell mine for $15 even though I invested $300 in it. I could not do that to somebody.
About the flute:
VERY quiet instrument, more wind sound than tones.
The D is almost the same frequency as E in the second octive (well under a half step between them).
The first octive D is only in tune when you put tape over the C# hole (if the instrument had the 8 key setup.
It weighs about twice as much as it should.
The original embouchure was nothing but a drilled hole
The tone holes are nothing but drilled holes (no undercutting for tuning).
The bore is small which hurts the timbre.
The tone holes are very small and it is more like a baroque flute than a concert (Irish wood) flute in timbre.
They uses pear oil to make it smell like a pear wood flute (deceptive).
The brass is cheap and flakes as if some anodizing process was done poorly.
The flute joints make the flute look crooked.
It is NOT rosewood.
These are the MAJOR problems.
Other than that it is a fine musical instrument. The case protects firewood very well, too.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mark_J on 2001-08-22 15:05 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mark_J on 2001-08-22 15:06 ]</font>
My conscience will not allow me to sell mine for $15 even though I invested $300 in it. I could not do that to somebody.
About the flute:
VERY quiet instrument, more wind sound than tones.
The D is almost the same frequency as E in the second octive (well under a half step between them).
The first octive D is only in tune when you put tape over the C# hole (if the instrument had the 8 key setup.
It weighs about twice as much as it should.
The original embouchure was nothing but a drilled hole
The tone holes are nothing but drilled holes (no undercutting for tuning).
The bore is small which hurts the timbre.
The tone holes are very small and it is more like a baroque flute than a concert (Irish wood) flute in timbre.
They uses pear oil to make it smell like a pear wood flute (deceptive).
The brass is cheap and flakes as if some anodizing process was done poorly.
The flute joints make the flute look crooked.
It is NOT rosewood.
These are the MAJOR problems.
Other than that it is a fine musical instrument. The case protects firewood very well, too.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mark_J on 2001-08-22 15:05 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mark_J on 2001-08-22 15:06 ]</font>
-
Loren
- Posts: 8390
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2001 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free - Location: Loren has left the building.
Mark,
Stop man, you're killing me!!!!
Oh that's way too funny.
Gerry, Mark isn't kidding man - Don't even think about bidding on that thing. Until you've played one, you can't really appreciate just how bad a thing can be, yet still be called a "Flute".
Stick with the names mentioned here or on the woodenflute list.
About the picture Mark posted: Although that is basically what they look like, the photo really doesn't do the flutes justice. The finish is very highly polished and like Mark says, almost iridescent looking.
Honestly, I don't know how Olwell makes any profit on those things with all the work that appears to go into them.
Loren
Loren
Stop man, you're killing me!!!!
Oh that's way too funny.Gerry, Mark isn't kidding man - Don't even think about bidding on that thing. Until you've played one, you can't really appreciate just how bad a thing can be, yet still be called a "Flute".
Stick with the names mentioned here or on the woodenflute list.
About the picture Mark posted: Although that is basically what they look like, the photo really doesn't do the flutes justice. The finish is very highly polished and like Mark says, almost iridescent looking.
Honestly, I don't know how Olwell makes any profit on those things with all the work that appears to go into them.
Loren
Loren
-
WhistlingGypsy
- Posts: 566
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Ottawa, Canada - Originally from Galway,
- Contact:
Do yourself a favor. If you really want a musical instrument of that quality, make one yourself with this method. Drink a case of black label beer. Rip down a curtain rod. Use a hammer and a nail to place six holes in it (it doesn't matter where). Then use a fire ax to cut an embouchrue. If you were careless enough, it will sound as bad.
I love it!! That's what I love about this board.....you ask a question and you get an answer - no beating about the bush here!
Thanks a lot Mark for the help. Looks are obviously deceiving, especially for a novice like me.
Cheers,
Gerry
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: WhistlingGypsy on 2001-08-22 15:16 ]</font>
-
WhistlingGypsy
- Posts: 566
- Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2001 6:00 pm
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 1
- Location: Ottawa, Canada - Originally from Galway,
- Contact:
I was wondering about that Loren. But after speaking with Patrick - what a nice guy - I would have expected them to look better. Anyhow I think I will order one - don't really have anything to lose.About the picture Mark posted: Although that is basically what they look like, the photo really doesn't do the flutes justice. The finish is very highly polished and like Mark says, almost iridescent looking.
Cheers,
Gerry
-
ErikT
- Posts: 1590
- Joined: Thu May 17, 2001 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Contact:
Ok, my turn.
Even though it looks like you've made up your mind to get an Olwell, I've been called out, so I guess I'll share
So let me deal with the issues on the table.
First, I would not recommend purchasing a high end flute. E-bay is full of expensive instruments purchased by people trying to decide if they're going to like the flute. It is just a waste of money. After 20 years of flute playing I can tell you that even a junk flute will help you make the decision. I have several misc bamboo flutes that look as ugly as a mud puppy, but play well enough to have fun on (of course, they are out of tune with themselves and the rest of the world, but it's fun anyway).
Secondly, do not buy any flute that has a perfectly round embouchure (as seen in the e-bay flute that you posted) unless it's under $30 and you just want it for decoration.
Thirdly, buy the Olwell flute. I've played 5 Olwell bamboo flutes and have loved each one. (2 D's, 2 F's and a G) I'm the one that just snagged Loren's and can tell you that I'm glad that I did. They are fine instruments. I frankly don't know why Loren would part with them (he gave me a lame excuse about wanted to buy his M&E flute, but I'm just not buying it - I think that it was a momentary lapse of sanity). As I told Loren, I love the mystique of picking up a scrap of bamboo and playing beautiful music.
But the Olwell is more than a scrap. I don't know how he does it, but George brings these things to a shine that is simply gorgeous.
It's also easy to play. One of my 10 y.o. whistle students picked it up and within 20 minutes was picking out tunes on my D.
Fourth, buy the Hamilton practice flute. While I haven't tried one, yet (soon), it looks like a good beater flute.
Finally, as I see it, the problem with learning a flute is not in the flute itself. Conical bore, cylindrical, long, short, fat, narrow...whatever. I wouldn't worry about those things now, because you don't have the skills to discern what is appropriate for you. The problem with learning the flute (as Tom mentioned) is coordinating holding it with blowing it. How do you make your fingers nimble enough to move when you're worried about dropping it on the floor? How do you avoid having your hands cramp and you lip fall asleep when you're pushing as hard as you can just to close off the holes? How do you play C# without throwing the flute across the room like a boomerang?
Once you have conquered these items, then buy your Hamilton, Olwell, or Ormiston.
Now, I know that the instrument can play a part. If you get a bad one, it will be bad. But more often, we tend to blame the instrument, when it is the player.
Opinions. Every single one of them But I do hope that you enjoy exploring the flute.
Peace,
Erik
Even though it looks like you've made up your mind to get an Olwell, I've been called out, so I guess I'll share
So let me deal with the issues on the table.
First, I would not recommend purchasing a high end flute. E-bay is full of expensive instruments purchased by people trying to decide if they're going to like the flute. It is just a waste of money. After 20 years of flute playing I can tell you that even a junk flute will help you make the decision. I have several misc bamboo flutes that look as ugly as a mud puppy, but play well enough to have fun on (of course, they are out of tune with themselves and the rest of the world, but it's fun anyway).
Secondly, do not buy any flute that has a perfectly round embouchure (as seen in the e-bay flute that you posted) unless it's under $30 and you just want it for decoration.
Thirdly, buy the Olwell flute. I've played 5 Olwell bamboo flutes and have loved each one. (2 D's, 2 F's and a G) I'm the one that just snagged Loren's and can tell you that I'm glad that I did. They are fine instruments. I frankly don't know why Loren would part with them (he gave me a lame excuse about wanted to buy his M&E flute, but I'm just not buying it - I think that it was a momentary lapse of sanity). As I told Loren, I love the mystique of picking up a scrap of bamboo and playing beautiful music.
But the Olwell is more than a scrap. I don't know how he does it, but George brings these things to a shine that is simply gorgeous.
It's also easy to play. One of my 10 y.o. whistle students picked it up and within 20 minutes was picking out tunes on my D.
Fourth, buy the Hamilton practice flute. While I haven't tried one, yet (soon), it looks like a good beater flute.
Finally, as I see it, the problem with learning a flute is not in the flute itself. Conical bore, cylindrical, long, short, fat, narrow...whatever. I wouldn't worry about those things now, because you don't have the skills to discern what is appropriate for you. The problem with learning the flute (as Tom mentioned) is coordinating holding it with blowing it. How do you make your fingers nimble enough to move when you're worried about dropping it on the floor? How do you avoid having your hands cramp and you lip fall asleep when you're pushing as hard as you can just to close off the holes? How do you play C# without throwing the flute across the room like a boomerang?
Once you have conquered these items, then buy your Hamilton, Olwell, or Ormiston.
Now, I know that the instrument can play a part. If you get a bad one, it will be bad. But more often, we tend to blame the instrument, when it is the player.
Opinions. Every single one of them
But I do hope that you enjoy exploring the flute.Peace,
Erik
-
Loren
- Posts: 8390
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2001 6:00 pm
- antispam: No
- Please enter the next number in sequence: 8
- Tell us something.: You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don't need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free - Location: Loren has left the building.