small hands

Karen - Ohio · Post by **Karen - Ohio** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 7:07 am

I have struggled with a Seery Delrin keyless flute for almost a year now and my hands are just too small for the reach. Can anyone suggest a maker of nice flutes for smaller hands. This is so frustrating that I have all but given up and I am playing the silver flute. I love the Seery and really want to continue with the wooden flute. PLEASE pass on your suggestions.

Someone told me Casy Burns makes a good one - what do you think?

Dana · Post by **Dana** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 8:16 am

I played one particular Casey Burns small hands model, and it was harder for me than some others, because it had a wide bore. Sounds like you should aim for some sort of Rudall model. I've heard the M & E Rudall works well for people with small hands. Lehart flutes are also supposed to be good, although he's developing a bit of a waiting list. You could get an M & E without much of a wait.

If all else fails, you could get a Boehm model wood flute, which is what I'm playing. It doesn't sound like an Irish flute, but it does have the marvelous warmth and depth of wood.

Dana

eskin · Post by **eskin** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 10:17 am

I also have quite small hands and nearly had to give up the wooden flute before I found that switching to piper-style fingering on both hands made it very easy to comfortably play. You might give this a try, it takes some getting used to at first, give it a few weeks, after that you'll never want to go back to classical style fingering...

Another alternative is to find a smaller holed baroque flute with a smaller span, particularly in the left hand. They won't be as loud as a large holed wooden flute, but you'd be able to continue using the silver flute style fingering.

Best of luck,

Michael

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 10:28 am

I think my Dixon 3 piece polymer has an easy reach and small holes. Just another option.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 4:08 pm

Second, the Dixon. Also the Casey
Burns for small hands in mopane (or
blackwood). I know an excellent
flute teacher with small hands who
plays the Casey Burns and likes
it fine. Also not immensely expensive.

BmacD · Post by **BmacD** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 1:14 pm

Karen- My usual instrument is the 3 piece Dixon because of the easy reach but I have found it possible to play Zachiah blackburn's {Sunreed Instruments}large holed, long stretch flutes by using the pinky fingers on both hands. Have you tried using the little fingers on your Seery?
Best ,
Bruce
P.S. I am leaning toward the M&E Rudall as my next flute.