Metal flutes and sessions

scottadm · Post by **scottadm** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 1:16 pm

I have been teaching myself to play the flute and would love to bring it to the local session as a break from the whistle. However, I have a metal Boems system flute as I was able to get a good one for really cheap ($30 dollars at a garage sale!) Would bringing it be an OK thing to do as long as I ask the group if I could play it or would the mere mention of such a thing cause me to be beaten and tossed out of the pub? At the sessions I have been to, I have seen very few irish flutes and no metal flutes so I am not sure what the typical attitude about this is.

Gordon · Post by **Gordon** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:24 pm

When I first started playing ITM it was on a Boehm, and I had the identical concern, as my teacher, Jack Coen, played a wooden flute and so, it seemed, did everyone else playing traditional music. So I asked him, somewhat sheepishly, how I might be received at a session with a silver flute. In his typical manner, he leaned back and smiled. "That depends on how you play, now, doesn't it?"
Musicians appreciate good musicianship. If you're given grief at a session for your choice of instrument, find another session.
Gordon

rama · Post by **rama** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:41 pm

Gordon,
Thanks, that's another classic line from the mighty Jack Coen, I'll remember that one.

He certainly has a way with words, not to mention his wonderful fluteplaying.
r

msheldon · Post by **msheldon** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:44 pm

Around here, you wouldn't get a second glance. All of the flute players at our session have silver flutes, and the best player of them all *only* owns silver flutes and piccolos.