Playing on the edge

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Sun Aug 13, 2017 3:01 pm

A long time ago I attended a workshop with Chris Norman. He played a bit on his
small holed Rudall. It sounded like a buzzsaw and it was very loud. I realize now
that he was playing on the edge, getting a hard tone, getting a lot of overtones.
I can now do that myself if I choose. I wonder are you'all playing on the edge
a lot? I've been at this for fifteen years and would like to hear from
experienced people.

Sillydill · Post by **Sillydill** » Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:18 am

Hey Jim,

Years ago I had a Paddy Ward flute that was just incredible to play on edge.

But if I backed off I found it mediocre.

I tend to play more Genteel now. But occasionally I like to blow the cob-webs out!

MKE_Chris · Post by **MKE_Chris** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 12:01 pm

A good flute/player combination should have a range of tone color to choose from. I'd say it's best to apply them where appropriate to emphasize the best qualities in any particular tune.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 2:11 pm

Sensible. Thanks

Brus · Post by **Brus** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 2:59 am

What does "playing on the edge" mean?

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 5:36 am

Brus wrote:What does "playing on the edge" mean?

I take it to mean playing (in the first octave) just at the break point between the two octaves.

radcliff · Post by **radcliff** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 8:53 am

Hi Jim,
"his small holed Rudall" was the boxwood one?
otherwise it was its wonderful modern copy that had some changes in the making and yes, it is really loud!
I never tested the boxwood original one, sure it must be an amazing flute, but I think it won't be that loud.

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 9:03 am

radcliff wrote:Hi Jim,
"his small holed Rudall" was the boxwood one?
otherwise it was its wonderful modern copy that had some changes in the making and yes, it is really loud!
I never tested the boxwood original one, sure it must be an amazing flute, but I think it won't be that loud.

There can be a perception of loudness from flutes that may not be loud in terms of decibels, but are "loud" in the sense that their tone is very clear and crisp. I can hear a small-holed flute, in the hands of a good player, better in a session than I can hear a Pratten-style flute in the hands of someone with a less focused blowing technique and a loud but diffuse sound.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 11:43 am

I believe it was the Rod Cameron copy, blackwood. The sound he got out it
was amazing--half musical instrument, half power tool.

radcliff · Post by **radcliff** » Tue Sep 19, 2017 2:44 am

indeed.

oleorezinator · Post by **oleorezinator** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 12:34 pm

I don't know if it's with
but it's certainly on.

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