What is the "Best" side blown, Transverse Irish Flute ?

[tyiam]

From your experience of "Playing" a Transverse Irish flute.... and why?

[Feadoggie]

This question should be asked on the Transverse Irish Flute board.

My two cents. There is no "Best" flute.

The simplest answer is "the flute that you prefer to play". There are many contenders for the title - best flute. Much depends on the preferences, style and physiology of the player. The flute player matters a great deal to the overall sound equation on the flute. What is best for one player may not suit the next player. No one flute is the best for every player. I have my favorites and other players will have theirs. Some like historical flutes, others prefer modern intertpretations. Do some reading and you'll get a decent background on what works, and why.

So let me ask you. What is the length of a piece of string?

Feadoggie

[Nanohedron]

This question should be asked on the Transverse Irish Flute board.

Hey Presto.

No one flute is the best for every player.

You got that right.

[Cathy Wilde]

So let me ask you. What is the length of a piece of string?

Feadoggie

My favorite answer, like, ever.

[I.D.10-t]

So let me ask you. What is the length of a piece of string?

Feadoggie

I think I know this kōan.

Three pounds of flax (twine)

[Nanohedron]

Basically, tyiam, what you want to do is familiarise yourself with the top makers' products. Are you thinking of playing simple-sytem flute, or are you thinking of making them?

[peeplj]

I play a Hamilton.

I've had a chance to try a number of different flutes from various makers...I sound like me on all of 'em.

That said, the subjective experience of playing them can be very different. Some make you work harder than others. Sometimes that's a bad thing--sometimes, depending on your approach to playing the music, you might think that's a good thing.


--James

[I.D.10-t]

...or are you thinking of making them?

If this is the case McGee has instructions and plans for a Pratten for sale, the flutemakers might be helpful. It seems to me like flutes based on the Rudall & Rose and Pratten dimensions are the most common with adjustments made by individual makers.

[JTC111]

You got that right.

-Mr. Mohra speaking to Officer Olson, Fargo ....I love that movie.

[Nanohedron]

You got that right.

-Mr. Mohra speaking to Officer Olson, Fargo ....I love that movie.

I had no idea that would be a Minnesota thing. Or at least an Upper Midwest thing. Umm...is it?

I didn't even notice it in the movie. Which stands to reason, I suppose. Yep...you betcha.

...Oh, and by the way, tyiam: in this case "sideblown" and "transverse" are the same thing. Just to save you some typing time in the future, like.

[tyiam]

Basically, tyiam, what you want to do is familiarise yourself with the top makers' products. Are you thinking of playing simple-sytem flute, or are you thinking of making them?

Both... I think the best is a good teacher and as was pointed out by Feadoggie... The simplest answer is "the flute that you prefer to play"
What are the top Irish Transverse Flute Makers? That depends on what people prefer to play... and cost, etc.

[Akiba]

Here's a list to get you started. Seems professionals tend to play these brands:

Olwell
Grinter
Wilkes
Hamilton
Murray
Doyle
Burns
McGee
Rudall
Wilde

Not a be all / end all list. Just the brands I've heard pro's using. I believe the top 3 listed have the longest queues and are the highest priced. The last two are antiques usually restored by master flute makers, e.g. Olwell.

[greenspiderweb]

Good luck in your search for the best flute.

[Feadoggie]

What are the top Irish Transverse Flute Makers?

Well, if you are looking to buy then you could start with the sticky topic at the top of this board which lists flute makers. Who would be on the top 20 will vary by individual preference. Olwell, Hamilton, McGee, Noy, Wilkes, Burns, Copley, Gallagher, Grinter, Murray, Copeland, etc,etc. Cost? Keyed or keyless? How deep are your pockets? You can start by looking at the Irish Flute Store for what Doc has available there and what he is asking. The best thing to do is get out and try some flutes or find a teacher who can help you assess what would be good for you.

As for making flutes, I would suggest that you learn to play first. It helps greatly in determining what you are doing well or not. The suggestions made above by I.D.-t. are good ones. Otherwise you could start with a detailed museum drawings or an example of a good flute and do the measurements yourself. Make your reamers and get down to it. There's a lot to it, more than whistles I am afraid. Do a Pratten; do a Ruddall; do a Nicholson; do a Firth, Pond and Hall. Figure out what works and then do your own. Good luck.

Feadoggie

[LorenzoFlute]

Akiba, what professionals play Burns and McGee flutes? (note that I'm saying nothing about the quality of their flutes, it is just that the makers seem famous among us but perhaps not so well known elsewere?) And I haven't seen many Wylde flutes around, they're a bit rarer that Rudalls, I think...
Grinter, Olwell, Murray are the flutes I've seen around more often (in my limited experience), and Wilkes are usually very much desired (but the waiting list is crazy even for pros!).