Chiff and Fipple Forums

Hi,

I have been playing cheap or junkie flutes until now, and I wanted to perhaps try out a flute that wasn't junk
so I could differentiate between my own failings as a player and those failing of the flute.

I like the look of Hall Crystal Flutes, though I have heard else where that they are hard to play. I
did a search on the forums here, and I get the impression that these flutes have improved over the years.

I can more easily (and affordably) get my hands on Hall Crystal flute than a Sweet Shannon or a
Casey Burns beginner flute, so I wanted to ask, would a glass flute be a step up from the ebay
flutes I have been trying to play and modify until now? I was thinking of a low D flute, or perhaps
a E flat (if that would suit my hands size better).

My friend, I think it all depends on your goals. If you want to faff around with a transverse flute-- which I for one think is a perfectly legitimate goal!-- and you want to do so in a hurry, by all means go for the Hall. That being said, there are better options for doing that-- a Tipple in F or even G if you're really concerned about the stretch and you don't plan on heavy sessioning (which an Eb would also preclude-- there are certainly Eb sessions around, but at least some of them are in Eb to keep riffraff like us out! Even if that's not the intention they are generally Adult Swims.) or maybe one of Billy Miller's bamboos, again in a smaller size, would be probably do the trick. But I implore you, get something that is made by someone who cares. A real instrument.

On the other hand, if you want to play irish traditional music on the flute, save up. See if you can borrow someone else's. Get the sweet or another lower cost model. Your hands may yet surprise you with what they can manage. And as you have been told several times, you can sell the thing if it doesn't work out. Patience. Patience is the key. And the wait an actual instrument will only be longer if you fall for the temptation of immediate gratification.

However you go, good luck. And probably don't get the hall.

[edited repeatedly for clarity!]

Ha I will not edit my post again, but I'd like to make it clear that I am not saying you can't play trad on a tipple or another well-made flute of the like, and I'm given to understand they been used to great effect by lots of players. But OP is very worried about hand span and so on, and I'm also under the impression that for a D flute the Tipple is going to take a bit of a stretch. But! The point is get a good instrument. The Hall-- I'm sure Mr. Hall cares. But I'm not crazy about the sound, and even if they've improved, I really don't think you're going to dispel that is it me or the flute.

And also, for background, when I became obsessed w the flute I was /broke/. I got ahold of a tin whistle and just buying that was a /thing/. The flute I started on came to me by complete and utter kismet, and the one I play now I paid for with crumpled dollar bills I shoved into a coffee can over a long winter. So I get it. But if you care about this, be patient. That is the key.

If you are going to play a flute it will be unknown to you and probably not be
quite what you expect. Under this circumstance, you might as well choose the
unknown flute that will actually play well. We've told you which they are and
a lot of us know these flutes personally and have been playing flute for many years.
I hope you won't set up a frustrating experience and decide you're no good
at flute. Good luck with it!

Hi, I bought a Hall flute because I thought it was pretty. I can play it but I must use my pinky for the lowest D hole. The stretch is pretty wide. I also have a Tipple and a Somers Rudall. The Tipple is the easiest as far as the reach goes. If I had it to do over again, I would not have bought the Hall. Go with the Tipple if you need an inexpensive flute.

Scouter

I will buy a Tipple soon then.

I have both a hall and a tipple flute. You can get a good sound out of both of them.

I don't know - if you are trying to get away from cheap flutes in order to know if the failings are the flute or the player, I am not sure if either of these is a good option. I am a recovering Boehm player, and started on a Tipple to get something a bit more traditional - it's possible to get a decent sound out of it (they are well made for what they are), but they are a handful and not on par with some of the well-priced conical flutes in tone, tuning or playability. The Hall is a disaster if you want to play with others - at least you can tune a Tipple to a degree. I quickly moved to a Forbes, and now have a Baubet - neither of these is considered a top tier flute maker, but I am confident that whatever limitations the flutes might present pale in comparison to the limitations I bring to them.

There was just a used Casey Burns folk flute that went on this forum for a steal, and there are often decent prices on used delrin Copleys, Forbes, M&E, etc. These are all decent flutes that would last you a long time. If you don't want to spend $700+ for a keyless flute, at least spend $2-300 and get something that will allow you to grow, not limit you. Be a little patient and watch the forum, and you'll likely be much happier.

sjpete wrote:There was just a used Casey Burns folk flute that went on this forum for a steal...

As I got mine for a similar (I think?) price to the Steal referenced above, I second the recommendation. I'm primarily a whistle player and I took to the Folk Flute quite well IMNERHO with no previous flute experience.

By instinct I play the right hand with the middle pads of my right hand, so the stretch isn't bad.

Similar experience to everyone else -- bought a Hall to have something to noodle on, then got myself a Tipple D. (I now have two others.) The Tipple D was a bit of a stretch on my bottom hand although I have fairly large piano hands.

The Hall has never been manageable, and I regret getting it although it is pretty. It is a G, so it wasn't an issue with the reach (although the bottom hole is annoyingly low). It's just a bear to get a good sound out of.

If you want a surprisingly good-sounding bargain and have good-sized hands, try the Tipple. Otherwise, save up for a good used keyless. They pop up from time to time on the board.

I like this crystal flute better...

A little bit more expensive though....

I've seen the Laurent flutes auctioned for 15.000 eur and more

kr,
Peter

I got a Hall first, pretty much for the same reason you are talking about. I was able to play it right away and enjoyed the tone and experience (I used the pinky approach, too, and my hands are moderately large), but quickly realized that the tone, to my mind, was soft and it wasn't very responsive.

A few months later I got a Paddy Ward delrin flute, and have barely picked up the Hall since (maybe twice). When I do, just for the heck of it, I realize that it is nothing close to playing an Irish flute. It is pretty, though.