Which Key of Bamboo Flute Should I Start With

KCJiang · Post by **KCJiang** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 2:09 pm

I am going to buy a bamboo flute, I have small hands. If I only can buy one flute, which one should I start with, Bb key flute, A key flute or G key flute or you have any other suggestions? Thanks.

rama · Post by **rama** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 2:28 pm

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 8:42 pm

The higher the flute the harder it will be to play at first, so, unless you have a pretty good embouchure, the best flute will be the lowest you can play.

KCJiang · Post by **KCJiang** » Tue Aug 19, 2003 10:45 pm

Rama and Jim:

Thanks. Should I start a Bb flute or the low D flute (lowest?)? For the low D flute I may have problem to cover all the holes.

msheldon · Post by **msheldon** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:21 am

I'd suggest maybe an F. Small enough that covering all the holes should be easy, large enough that getting good tone should not be too hard.

FSnockhart · Post by **FSnockhart** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:41 am

If you want to play with other people, you might want to consider a D flute despite the reach issues, since most tunes are played on D instruments. If you're only interested in playing by yourself, I think it matters much less.

My first flute was actually in A; no problem with reach, but I couldn't play with others. I'm now on flute number 4 -- despite the money issues that made me say, after each flute, this is the last flute I will ever be able to afford.

rama · Post by **rama** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:33 pm

Bamboo F flute - very tasty

msheldon · Post by **msheldon** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:48 pm

FSnockhart wrote:If you want to play with other people, you might want to consider a D flute despite the reach issues

Yeah, but on an F, you can play along with Lunasa.

I love F for doing solo work. High enough to be easily heard, low enough not to be annoying.

knorris908 · Post by **knorris908** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:33 pm

msheldon wrote:
FSnockhart wrote:If you want to play with other people, you might want to consider a D flute despite the reach issues
Yeah, but on an F, you can play along with Lunasa.

I love F for doing solo work. High enough to be easily heard, low enough not to be annoying.

I agree. I love my F bamboo. But I just by chance have ONE G bamboo that is just magical. (I don't know why Erik The Flutemaker made THIS one better than the others, but it is just a whole different level of sound and playability. It is my favorite flute to learn a tune on. This is even including My Dixon 3-piece which is my Favorite "Irish" flute. And, because it's in G, you CAN play with others fairly easily.

Just my humble opinion.

Kenneth