Definition of "band flutes"?

[keithsandra]

Can you tell me what "band flutes" are? I've seen references to them on CnF but a Search doesn't come up with a definition, and says : "band flute. ignored: flute"

Thanks in advance.

K.

[MTGuru]

Try a Google site search, Keith: "band flute" site:forums.chiffandfipple.com

[I.D.10-t]

This might be a good starting point.
Fife Vs Band flute

I think Hawks & Son made Crown AZ band flutes in F piccolo, Eb piccolo, Bb, F, Bass Bb, and Bass Eb, but most commonly found will be the Eb piccolo, the Bb, and F flutes.

[mutepointe]

I always thought you folks were talking about boehm flutes when you spoke of band flutes. The thing you learn here. Are you speaking of boehm flutes when you speak of silver flutes?

[I.D.10-t]

Are you speaking of boehm flutes when you speak of silver flutes?

That seems to be the case.
~~~~~~
Write up on some Bb Bass flutes on Terry McGee's site.
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Later%20Bb%20flutes.htm

Note the difference between the R&R flute and the band flute.

Also some measurements of band flutes down this page.
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/flutelengths.htm

~~~~~
Disclaimer, I'm no expert.

[jemtheflute]

I always thought you folks were talking about boehm flutes when you spoke of band flutes. The thing you learn here. Are you speaking of boehm flutes when you speak of silver flutes?

Ah, yes, in Merkin there is a tendency to describe what in English we would call "an orchestral flute" (meaning a modern Bohm flute, most often metal, though can be wood) as a "band flute", isn't there? Ditto other mainstream modern classical instruments. "Silver flute" is less ambiguous, though still misleading: of course Bohm flutes have always also been made in wood and in other metals, and other systems than Bohm's have been made in silver/metal. That is why I almost always specify Bohm's name when I mean that kind of flute, or use a longer but clearer description such as "modern metal orchestral flute".

Keith, there are loads of old posts on C&F about band flutes in the proper, simple system sense - I've been involved in quite a few threads on the topic over the years. I tried the same search as you, and yes, it ignores "flute" but actually most of the hits are relevant. If you put my screen-name in the relevant search parameter bar, that narrows things down a bit.

These links may also help:
http://fifeanddrummuseum.org/default.aspx
http://www.angusfifes.com/
http://www.millerwicks.com/ (especially see History page)
http://www.millyard-molem.com/
http://www.dillonmusic.com/historic_fif ... fifes.html
http://www.skiphealy.com/

[Denny]

what MTGuru said
Google.... "band flute" site:forums.chiffandfipple.com


http://www.google.com/search?q=%22band+ ... fipple.com

[I.D.10-t]

Ah, yes, in Merkin there is a tendency to describe what in English we would call "an orchestral flute" (meaning a modern Bohm flute, most often metal, though can be wood) as a "band flute", isn't there?

Don't know if this is true of all in the US. From my limited experiences out east schools tend to have a primary school emphasis on orchestra while the Midwest tends to be more of a "band" orientated environment. Either way it's the same shiny flute.

[Kirk B]

Jem, you're slacking. Your "ö"s are missing the umlauts.

[plunk111]

Personally, I think the cheap Pakistani ripoffs should be banned...

Pat

[Kirk B]

Ah, yes, in Merkin there is a tendency to describe what in English we would call "an orchestral flute" (meaning a modern Bohm flute, most often metal, though can be wood) as a "band flute", isn't there?

Don't know if this is true of all in the US. From my limited experiences out east schools tend to have a primary school emphasis on orchestra while the Midwest tends to be more of a "band" orientated environment. Either way it's the same shiny flute.

Or if you were cool you were in the Stage Band and played Sammy Nestico arrangements.

[Nanohedron]

Ah, yes, in Merkin there is a tendency to describe what in English we would call "an orchestral flute" (meaning a modern Bohm flute, most often metal, though can be wood) as a "band flute", isn't there?

Possibly. I've actually heard the Boehm iteration called "traditional" (!) or even "real" (!!) when confronted with wooden simple-system, but not any particular tendency toward "band" as I recall so far: mostly just "flute" does it until the specter of there actually being others raises its head. Then I steer them toward using "modern" as a convenient descriptor.

On a sidenote: I've gotten to the point where I say, "Whenever you see someone holding up a wind instrument like this [mimicking the transverse hold], it's not a clarinet, it's a flute. Doesn't matter what it's made of. It's a flute of some kind. A flute. Period. Count on it." Of course that's misleading, too, but at such a juncture the likelihood of the beneficiary of my lesson going so far as to learn about the Bawu is a matter of odds I feel confident to dismiss.

"Silver flute" is less ambiguous, though still misleading: of course Bohm flutes have always also been made in wood and in other metals, and other systems than Bohm's have been made in silver/metal. That is why I almost always specify Bohm's name when I mean that kind of flute, or use a longer but clearer description such as "modern metal orchestral flute".

I pick my battles on that front. Sometimes if they hear anything more than "silver flute", their eyes start glazing over because anything else is beyond their comfort zone and more than they want/need to know, and they wander off looking for less of a crackpot to talk to. Well, to be honest, sometimes waxing pedantic's actually an intentional tactic on my part, too: when you want to move someone smartly along, flute details can make for some top-notch repellent when you need that sort of thing.

[Doug_Tipple]

I've noticed that the radio commentator on a classical music station that I listen to often refers to a classical musical group as a "band", when, clearly, what I thought I was listening to was an "orchestra". I think that he is deliberately doing that to be cute, knowing that with his expertise he can get away with it, although I'm sure that he receives many letters correcting him on the matter. No doubt, there must be a good reason for his use of band rather than orchestra, chamber group, etc.

[Nanohedron]

I've noticed that the radio commentator on a classical music station that I listen to often refers to a classical musical group as a "band", when, clearly, what I thought I was listening to was an "orchestra". I think that he is deliberately doing that to be cute, knowing that with his expertise he can get away with it, although I'm sure that he receives many letters correcting him on the matter. No doubt, there must be a good reason for his use of band rather than orchestra, chamber group, etc.

Could be in a similar vein as when classical violinists informally refer to themselves as fiddlers, maybe? Orchestra/band, tomayto/tomahto, like.

[jemtheflute]

Jem, you're slacking. Your "ö"s are missing the umlauts.

Aye - but I fear I always do.... the work-arounds to get the umlaut in there are too awkward and I am too lazy. But I persist with spelling it without the "e", not because I'm unaware that the man himself spelt it both ways, but as an act of resistance against that other weird and utterly inexplicable, chokingly objectionable Merkin tendency, to pronounce it "Bame". Urk! But that's another old hobby horse and recurring topic.

Back to the "band flute" meaning "Böhm flute" thing - many cheap modern metal flutes are advertised on eBay (US) and other American websites as "band flutes". It may not be prevalent everywhere/in all contexts in the US, but it certainly is out there. Hence, no doubt, Mutepoint's discombobulation......

And Doug (we're cross-posting) - actually, it isn't uncommon in orchestral circles over here to refer to the orchestra as "the band" in an informal, jocular way - but with it clearly understood there is no comparison/implication/reference being made to a brass band, pop/rock/jazz band or any other usage formally denoting a specific musical grouping (type).

Yes, Nano.