Search found 509 matches

by bigsciota
Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:21 pm
Forum: Flute Forum
Topic: Does an easy-to-play flute lead to a lazy or poorly developed embouchure?
Replies: 16
Views: 1622

Re: Does an easy-to-play flute lead to a lazy or poorly developed embouchure?

I do wonder though if you accurately remember just starting and the associated challenges and frustrations? If you had a child who wanted to learn the flute, would you get them something easy to play, or something with a demanding embouchure and tell them “No Pain! No Gain!” Or in my own words from...
by bigsciota
Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:27 pm
Forum: Flute Forum
Topic: Does an easy-to-play flute lead to a lazy or poorly developed embouchure?
Replies: 16
Views: 1622

Re: Does an easy-to-play flute lead to a lazy or poorly developed embouchure?

Psychologically, I'd say that a newcomer taking up an "easier" flute would absolutely give them more incentive to practice and play, and probably ultimately help them improve. However, over the past year I have mainly played two flutes, we'll call them flute A and flute B. I've noticed tha...
by bigsciota
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:09 am
Forum: The Chiff and Fipple Whistle Forum
Topic: B Whistle
Replies: 8
Views: 910

Re: B Whistle

Also helpful if you are playing in a group with a singer, since they tend to find keys that suit their voice, not stick to D, G, Am, etc. PS: I'd stay away from pipers with flat sets if I were you. Sure, they seem cool, but they're a dangerous gateway into a world filled with bass concertinas, viola...
by bigsciota
Thu Feb 08, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: Flute Forum
Topic: Short review of the Galeon Firth Pond & Co. delrin flute
Replies: 24
Views: 9537

Re: Short review of the Galeon Firth Pond & Co. delrin flute

The Galeon company may be the only maker of this style of Irish flute! Adding to what Steve said, Terry McGee (who commented earlier in this thread) makes a significant number of flutes based on the FHP design, and has some good info about the original makers up on his website. Worth checking out i...
by bigsciota
Wed Feb 07, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: The Chiff and Fipple Whistle Forum
Topic: Styles of Playing
Replies: 19
Views: 3595

Re: Styles of Playing

Just a personal observation, I've noticed a bit of a divergence in some of the playing I've heard and wonder how much of it is due to divergence of whistle use. The solo whistle players I've heard who play high whistles tend towards a style with more pops/chirps/burbles/etc., something more akin to ...
by bigsciota
Wed Feb 07, 2024 10:56 am
Forum: Sold and Old
Topic: FS: Tony Millyard Keyless Mopane Rudall Flute in D
Replies: 1
Views: 1919

Re: FS: Tony Millyard Keyless Mopane Rudall Flute in D

Bump, it's still available!
by bigsciota
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Sold and Old
Topic: FS: Tony Millyard Keyless Mopane Rudall Flute in D
Replies: 1
Views: 1919

FS: Tony Millyard Keyless Mopane Rudall Flute in D

Lovely flute made by Tony Millyard, mopane with faux ivory rings. Keyless Rudall model, key of D. Easy playing, nice sound, and quite noticeably lighter than a blackwood flute. Repaired crack on the barrel expertly done (not by me). Here's a video of me playing it: https://youtu.be/0w2kVpM3MVU Price...
by bigsciota
Thu Jan 11, 2024 7:27 pm
Forum: Sold and Old
Topic: FS: Freeman, Chieftain High Whistles, Susato Ergonomic Low D Whistle, Hammy Practice Flute
Replies: 1
Views: 1316

FS: Freeman, Chieftain High Whistles, Susato Ergonomic Low D Whistle, Hammy Practice Flute

For sale, all prices include shipping in CONUS: Chieftain "Thunderbird" high D, tunable, with pouch - $120 Hammy Hamilton practice flute - $80 Set of Jerry Freeman tweaked whistles, Bb/C/D/Eb/F/G in brass, all redcap Generations except the D which is a Mellow Dog (Waltons Mellow-D) - $190 ...
by bigsciota
Sun Jan 07, 2024 10:06 pm
Forum: The Chiff and Fipple Whistle Forum
Topic: Double hole whistles?
Replies: 177
Views: 13587

Re: Double hole whistles?

Good points. A fast "gangbusters take off" of a new idea doesn't have to happen for the more chromatic options to be accepted commonly. This reminds me of how composition of classical music was considerably altered when Beethoven was presented with an improved piano with better action and...
by bigsciota
Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:53 pm
Forum: The Chiff and Fipple Whistle Forum
Topic: Double hole whistles?
Replies: 177
Views: 13587

Re: Double hole whistles?

But no, it's not a foregone conclusion that everyone would play "my new version" if it were actually superior. A lot of whistle-makers (and players) are quite stubborn, and they won't necessarily switch just because something comes around that's a better design. There's a great video arou...
by bigsciota
Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:04 pm
Forum: The Chiff and Fipple Whistle Forum
Topic: Double hole whistles?
Replies: 177
Views: 13587

Re: Double hole whistles?

I have to say that coming from the classical world it's funny to hear some of the talk of chromaticism in the trad world. Playing in different keys, with accidentals, etc. is de rigeur to the point that it's hardly worth mentioning. And yet in the trad world some people get obsessed with it, throwin...
by bigsciota
Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:27 pm
Forum: Sold and Old
Topic: FS: Tony Millyard Keyless Mopane Rudall Flute in D
Replies: 0
Views: 2960

FS: Tony Millyard Keyless Mopane Rudall Flute in D

Lovely flute made by Tony Millyard, mopane with faux ivory rings. Keyless Rudall model, key of D. Easy playing, nice sound, and quite noticeably lighter than a blackwood flute. Repaired crack on the barrel expertly done (not by me). Here's a video of me playing it: https://youtu.be/0w2kVpM3MVU Price...
by bigsciota
Sat Nov 11, 2023 8:00 pm
Forum: Flute Forum
Topic: Remarkable Innovation by William Pond
Replies: 6
Views: 1623

Re: Remarkable Innovation by William Pond

You'd worry a bit about the recorder head being forced in and possibly being a bit stuck, but otherwise the flute is in remarkable shape! It must have been in the collection of a player. If I didn't already have an antique American flute being restored I'd possibly chance my arm on this one!
by bigsciota
Fri Nov 10, 2023 11:52 am
Forum: Flute Forum
Topic: Remarkable Innovation by William Pond
Replies: 6
Views: 1623

Remarkable Innovation by William Pond

There's an instrument up on eBay right now that I think some folks here would find interesting:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/276115549468

What an incredible invention! I wonder why it never caught on...