Hey all-
Another newbie question: How is the Dixon flute/whistle combo? From the reviews (About a year old that I can find) they said the whistle was great, but the flute head was less than desirable.
Is this a fixed problem, or is there still a problem with them? Easier to go with a single low D and a separate keyless flute, or can I order the combo with confidence?
Aodhan
A few months ago I agreed that the whistle head was fine, but the flute head was a problem. Now I say they are both fine. I was the problem. I finally got the time to really practice with the flute head – playing it every day. It still isn’t as easy to play as it is with the whistle head, but I actually like the sound better. Take a look at Dale’s flute section of the C&F website. It tells of his struggles to get music out of a flute.
BTW, there is (or at least used to be) a little mouth plate that fits over the embouchure hole that you can get from Tony Dixon directly. It makes it easier to get notes out of the thing.
Steve
On 2002-05-29 13:44, Blarney Pilgrim wrote:
…
BTW, there is (or at least used to be) a little mouth plate that fits over the embouchure hole that you can get from Tony Dixon directly. It makes it easier to get notes out of the thing.
Steve
They are also available from Thom at The Whistleshop http://www.thewhistleshop.com/
I don’t think it makes it easier to get notes out of the flute head, (mine was pretty easy to play to begin with) but it does help approximate the deeper chimmney you’ll find on woodenflutes, making the transition to a better flute easier.
As I’ve said before, I think the Dixon Duo is a good, cheap way to start on flute, but sooner or later you’ll want to upgrade.
My only other low D experience is tootling about on a friend’s black Howard but the Dixon PVC is nice. It has a smooth, mellow tone. It’s not too breathy and it doesn’t take as much wind as the Howard. The only negative points are that is is a bit quiet and I find I have to clear the fipple of water more. But otherwise it’s a very nice sounding and looking instrument. My only finger adjustments I had to make were on the top hand. The bottom hand was no problem because I play GHB so my bottom hand is use to big spread and big holes. The top hand was a little tougher to adjust to.
As for the flute head… well I’ve never played flute before but I’ve always loved the Irish flute. The tone is nice and clear, a little breathy but not too much so which is good considering I’m just learning to blow flute. It’s not too harsh and the hard D is quite nice. As when it’s in whistle mode I would say it’s maybe a bit quiet but I’ve never really heard a good simple system flute up close and it is definitely louder as a flute than a whistle.
Maybe not a session instrument but definitely a good student flute and rather economical, especially considering you get 2 instruments in 1.
Slainte!
Aaron