I've spotted this unusual (to me) keyless white metal flute. It's modern Boehm style lip-plate, chimney toneholes are intriguing. Plus its 7 toneholes are unusual.
It appears to be cylindrical bore. Do the higher chimney toneholes indicate a larger piccolo-like bore perhaps?
Of course the current owner has no idea what it is but I'm guessing it's a knockoff metal version of Yamaha's eight hole plastic fife ( http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/o ... a/fife.htm ) and there's another 8th thumb tonehole out of sight.
It's certainly not the standard 6 hole fife. Appears to measure around 37cm.
Honestly, my guess that it is cheap Chinese tat. But the design is curious and seemingly unique.
Does anyone know of this make/design?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Vaughan
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
"Piccolo flute mini, only used a handful of times Sorry I have no further information"
So, yes, business as usual for Gumtree!
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
Probably the other way round, or maybe independent developments. This looks exactly like a type of flute which is very popular in German marching bands called "Trommelflöte" ("drum flute"). Unlike the Yamaha fife, the bottom notes are (usually?) going D - Eb - E rather than C - D - E for a fully chromatic scale without half-holing. (I'm not an expert, but I think thumb holes are rather uncommon here... so it might as well be something entirely different, haha!)
dubrosa22 wrote:Honestly, my guess that it is cheap Chinese tat.
I don't know about Chinese makes, so I can't tell from the picture... isn't there any indication of the maker?
I was only guessing the flute pictured in my original post possessed a thumbhole. I have bought it (curiosity got to me) so once it's in my hand I can examine it for maker's marks and its tuning.
I don't think it would Chinese-made now. The market for these instruments seems rather too narrow.
So is all fingers down (7 holes covered) D? Or C? Or Eb?
Also I see there's various pitches/lengths available.
It should be a fun addition to my woodwind arsenal
Vaughan
Last edited by dubrosa22 on Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
dubrosa22 wrote:I was only guessing the flute pictured in my original post possessedva thumbhole.
D'oh, yes sorry!
dubrosa22 wrote:But no fingerchart anywhere so far. My Deutsche is not very good. So is all fingers down (7 holes covered) D? Or C? Or Eb?
Here it is! Yes, all fingers down would a D on a C flute (they're named after the tone which sounds with oxx oooo). The most common keys are C♭ and B♭ though, so the nominal D would be a sounding D♭ or C respectively.
Last edited by megapop on Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Here it is! Yes, all fingers down would a D on a C flute (they're named after the tone which sounds with oxx oooo).[/quote]
Thank you!
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
Thanks also to Ingo - somehow your post didn't pop up on my mobile phone.
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
The headjoint, although removable/tunable, is quite stuck. Not sure if I'll bother damaging it trying to get it apart by force. But perhaps a little heat will ease it open? It would be nice to try and narrow down the intonation a little.
It plays quite easily but I do have to really 'lean' into it unlike my other flutes. However it's a sweet tone and with an easy second octave. Overall it feels like a D whistle with a flute embouchure.
I do have to remember to finger D with 4 fingers, but it's really cool to have an Eb on a keyless flute!
V
Last edited by dubrosa22 on Thu Jan 14, 2016 5:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
A little hot water over the tenon joint and I managed to pull the pieces apart. It was too sharp pushed all the way in.
BTW it is conical bore and it is indeed in Ces (Cb) Ingo which is kinda cool. I just play it like my C ren flute with that added Eb bonus.
Good ol' Gumtree!
V
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
I came across a similar instrument recently. A keyless piccolo with ten finger holes in metal with Boehm-like head joint. It's in Db. Very similar to a range of Japanese school piccolos and may very well be intended to serve a similar purpose of being a pre-band instrument.
Tell us something.: Kickbiker - at over 70! :lol: .................................................................... ....................................................................
I also own a Pastalit Trommelfluten, it is made of some kind of plastic, & has quite a good tone.
I bought mine for £20 online, & used it for a quick bit of embouchure practice, (rather than setting up my flute).
(I have the Yamaha one too.)
Keith.
Trying to do justice to my various musical instruments.
