starting with a 6 key flute

[memling]

Can i start to play the wooden flute with a 6-key flute?
Do i have to start with a keyless one?
I want to buy a 6-key flute because, near I live, i haven't people who play irish or renaissance music, but some people who play baroque and XIX cent. music (so i need a keyed flute to play with them)... i've read a lot of good things about the M&E's ebonite instruments

P.s. i have played the bohem flute for 5 years. I have a tipple E flute too, but i don't like pvc

[kmag]

A keyless flute is a fairly modern invention and I can not imagine in any way how it could be a detriment to start on a keyed flute. At one time everyone started on a keyed flute. I believe that most people playing Irish music start with a keyless flute because it is what they need for most tunes and it is cheaper.

[radcliff]

Why don't you try to come to a session in Rome?
I have quite a lot of flutes and I can bring few along with me..
I also know that there is a Watson 6 keys for sale in Rome (mopane wood) for cheap.
I'll send you my info in PM

[Feadoggie]

A keyless flute is a fairly modern invention

[kmag]

I guess I should have said a keyless simple system flute as usually seen in Irish traditional music is a fairly recent invention but I was assuming people knew what I meant.

[Feadoggie]

Yes, I knew what you meant. Sorry, it just struck as funny at the moment. I am sure we all know that keys are a fairly modern invention.

Your advice was on the mark.

Memling, there's no detriment in starting on a 6 key flute (other than maintaining the keys). Play what ya got. A lot of players find they don't need the keys. I own one keyed flute (lots of keyless ones though) and find I rarely need the keys for traditional Irish dance music. The Christmas season repertoire brings out the need for the keys and it is the only time of the year that I fall back on the keyed flute. It all depends on what you want/need to play.

Feadoggie

[Tonehole]

Can i start to play the wooden flute with a 6-key flute?
Do i have to start with a keyless one?
I want to buy a 6-key flute because, near I live, i haven't people who play irish or renaissance music, but some people who play baroque and XIX cent. music (so i need a keyed flute to play with them)... i've read a lot of good things about the M&E's ebonite instruments

P.s. i have played the bohem flute for 5 years. I have a tipple E flute too, but i don't like pvc

Oh no....you've given up with the baroque traverso?!

Understandably, it isn't ideal for music beyond baroque and XIXth century music

Yes, a keyless Irish flute (diatonic) is a safe starter for transition from the Boehm. Sounds like you have a kind gentleman making you an offer you can't refuse in Italy.

Don't know ...I found the hardest shift from Boehm to wooden flute was embouchure related, not keys. I tried a few simple system nameless flutes and remember the experience of not being able to get a sound except for wheeze. The blowing resistance was so great that I had to use the Force.

Weird fingerings, like open Gs to closed G's, inverted B and Bb keys; alternate C and C sharps across the octaves, baroque traverso fingerings and simple system fingerings take time, and probably take away from developing greater fluency with the same flute. I prefer simple system 6 keys over Boehm's too many - and 6 keys is better than 8 keys, otherwise might as well go back to Boehm with a wooden headjoint

[benhall.1]

How about starting with a proper flute ( ) - you know, an 8-key one? That's what I started with, not so long ago. Great for trad and for anything classical too.

[Denny]

sure, yer a fiddle player...you already knew those note were there.

[benhall.1]

Yeah. Lots of notes between the keys, too.

[smoro]

I highly suggest people to start playing using keyed instruments if possible. It can help you in holding the flute properly and not taking bad habits in order to reach the keys properly. It can ber very unconfortable when moving to keyed flutes if you start in keyless ones.
Regards,
S.

[david_h]

Recent beginner comment: As it is the season of tunes with something other than one or two sharps (carols etc) I have been working on using my keys for things other than the occasional accidental. Practicing things like an Fmajor scale without dropping the flute has been a good exercise.

I have not had to make too many changes. That was mainly luck but also because I had already taken a few things into account. For example the position for my right hand that came most easily would have put the C and C# keys out of reach, so I changed it earlier on. That required reviewing how I access, and kept clear of, the Eb key with my right 4th finger.

I think it was worth finding out what finger movements the keys would require before getting too stuck in my ways. However, six holes were quite enough to worry about to start with.

[I.D.10-t]

If your end goal will involve using keys, then it seems like it would be a waste to purchase a keyless flute if you can afford a fully keyed one. Getting into the habit of using the keys properly will make it so you don't have to re-learn some fingerings or hand position and can help with third register notes.