I just bought a Sweetheart high D flute. (They call it a “fife”).
Unfortunately with the head pushed all the way in it is still a little flat. I’ve twisted the head joint out a little but I wonder if it would be feasible to shave off a couple millimeters from the bottom to make it sharper.
It is in tune with itself through it’s range. But it does have a cork in the head. Would it be better to adjust the cork?
Any comments?
I’ve got the same flute/fife in high D. Mine is in tune with the tenon out about 2-3 mm. It’s a nice little instrument, but I have problems with my fingers being a little on the large side for me to play it really well.
My guess is you need to retrain your embouchure a bit. Have you tried blowing a bit more across instead of into the fife? Before you do any tweaking, I’d give it a few weeks to see if you’re mystically more in tune once you adjust to the instrument. Another option would be to let another player give it a try and see if it’s flat for them, too.
Eric
Typically trying to tweak a flute (or a fife) only results in disaster.
A better alternative would be to get in touch directly with the maker. I believe Ralph Sweet has an email address, although I don’t know it.
–James
Ralph has posted to the board a few times. His email is in his profile, as well as on his website. He’s a very pleasant guy to deal with, and I’m sure he’ll accommodate you.
Thanks all. I’ll start with Eric’s advice and work for that “mystical” deal with the lip and all. Then if I still have problems I’ll contact Mr. Sweet.
Ralph will get back to you quickly if you do decide to email him. I’ve had some nice notes back and forth with him on various issues.
I think Eric’s right, and it’s really not all that mystical. Irish flute players tend to blow deep into a flute’s chimney, which flattens the tone; not a problem with a flute with a slide, since it can be brought up to pitch against the player’s embouchure approach. This being more a fife/piccolo thing, it’s likely Ralph made it more to be blown across the embouchure hole, which will raise the pitch (or actually put it where it’s supposed to be). You can ask Ralph, but I’d play with it a bit to see if you can raise the pitch by changing the angle. Whatever you do, don’t start hacking at it!
Gordon
Yes, I talked with them. They say the fife is made
to be dead on when it’s pushed all the way in.
that’s a little bit unfortunate, because
one wants the ability to go sharp sometimes,
e.g. when playing in the cold. However
they appear to be willing to modify
fifes to make em the way you want. Nice
folks.
I agree it should be dead on with the head just a little out. That would definitely help. However it’s probably me. I didn’t get a chance yesterday to mess with it but tonight hopefully.