Chiff and Fipple Forums

I'm not pretending this is serious, but since it's a perennial topic of debate, here's an experimental exploration of the sounds of mid C19th flutes conventionally supposed to have very different characters to each other - please read the full blurb on YT.
https://youtu.be/s7eahp4Pj40

Well, really I just played 'em how I play. Interested in (on-topic on sound) observations/reactions.

(I deliberately chose a tune which explores more of he tessitura than is normal for ITM.)

Hi Jem

Enjoyed the mazurka.

As to the flute sounds, I liked flute 2 the best, then flute 3 and flute 1 the least. Subjectively I liked the upper and lower octave tone better on the Rudal Rose, it sounded richer. That may be down to your greater familiarity with the flute.

David

The flutes sound like I’d expect in a way. High notes sound better on the French flute. Low notes sound firmer on the Pratten and the more balanced flute is the Rudall.
That’s what I “expected” to hear I suppose though.
I don’t have loads of flutes kicking about these days but when I did I would sit with a few and say pick up the French flute I had to play a tune that had loads of high notes.

Hi Jem,

The mazurka sounds like it was composed for the French flute. I like the sound of the R&R, but in my opinion the composition favours #3

Regards,
Peter

Thanks for commenting, guys!
Peter Otto - tune was composed on the French flute as well as "for" it.

More comments welcome!

the second sounded best to me.

I liked the first. This is fun!

Perhaps a bit more analytical commentary than just stating which one you prefer? I didn’t intend a poll/beauty contest!

Is it a fair comparison? Did the Rudall and Rose not have the advantage of a Wilkes head joint, making it a non original performer!
You should really get Chris to make head joints for the other two and then compare.
Just being awkward!

The Boosey Pratten has a Wilkes embouchure bushing!

It is hard to say positive things about flute acoustics, since we often don't have enough vocabulary and reach for metaphors. I thought the Boosey's sound solid, robust, deep and more interesting, FWIW. It is also interesting to consider the contribution Wilkes' has made to this.

Thanks, Jim.

Okay, I'll give it a try too, with the extra handicap of not being a native speaker
I agree with Jim about the robust sound of the Boosey, but I prefer the less powerfull, more balanced and agile sound of the R&R. And I absolutely love the delicate high notes and transparancy of the French flute.

Tidy job, Peter. Thanks.

The task you have set for us is difficult, and I would be very interested to hear your own assessment/comparison of the three flutes as that will undoubtedly be richer and more accurate than ours. Here is mine:
1: bottom notes have a nice 'edge' which, interestingly is higher-pitched (or has a higher-pitched component than 2; upper parts of bottom octave fine; higher notes all right but harsher than 2; overall a very fine flute.
2: notes in bottom octave have a nice, warm buzz; higher notes best of all three flutes; overall the evenest-sounding flute, and also very fine.
3: no part outstanding; bottom notes not rich (except for the very last note!); upper notes acceptable but not better than the other two flutes; still, the more I listen to this version the more pleasant it sounds. No where near as bad as when I first listened to it.

It would be nice to hear one of Jean-Michel Veillon, Anna Besson or Matt Molloy play on each of the flutes. Perhaps someday you'll be able to do that.