Flute advice please
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Flute advice please
I want to buy a keyless, non-wooden, Irish flute that I can travel with and not have to worry too much about the usual wooden instrument care. Any recomendations? The main consideration is sound quality.
Thanks
Thanks
- chas
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The M&E is an excellent flute, as is the Seery. The difference is that the Seery is closer to a classic Pratten-style flute, while the M&E is based on a Rudall & Rose. Which you prefer is really just a matter of taste.
Charlie
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- springrobin
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- greenspiderweb
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I disagree, and very strongly! I think the M&E sounds as much like a wooden flute as any-it has a fully lined headjoint (with metal) so it probably sounds more like a lined head wooden flute than a partially or unlined head. But the tonal quality is there-it also depends on how you play it, and your embouchure.Unseen122 wrote:I have an M&E (but it will be leaving in a few days) and I would recommend one, the only downside is that is feels and sounds like plastic.
The amount of tonal difference between a wooden flute and a polymer is negligible, depending on how well it is made, and how well it is played, in my opinion.
Sure, some wooden flutes are more responsive-just as some polymer flutes are more responsive than some wooden flutes. M&E's and Seerys need make no apologies for not being wooden. I haven't played a Cochran in Delrin as yet, but I bet they are on the same level in tonal qualities also.
Feel? Sure, wooden flutes feel more organic, but depending on the finish on a polymer flute, it can feel differently too, maybe just not wooden! Doug Tipple's flutes have a sensual feel to them-and that's a highly hand polished PVC finish-you can't get any smoother than that, which would be hard to equal on a wooden flute.
Visually is where I think wooden flutes excel over polymers. There's no denying the look of a nice grained wooden flute, which are found in various colors. If you close your eyes and listen, there's not enough difference to worry about-but that has to be judged on an idividual basis, from flute to flute, and ear to ear. If the flute speaks to you, it doesn't matter what it's made from.
~~~~
Barry
Barry
- Unseen122
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No problem with that. I don't play Lined heads that is probably why. I admit it, I am a wood snob. I just think the plastic has more edge, that is my opinion.greenspiderweb wrote:I disagree, and very strongly! I think the M&E sounds as much like a wooden flute as any-it has a fully lined headjoint (with metal) so it probably sounds more like a lined head wooden flute than a partially or unlined head. But the tonal quality is there-it also depends on how you play it, and your embouchure.Unseen122 wrote:I have an M&E (but it will be leaving in a few days) and I would recommend one, the only downside is that is feels and sounds like plastic.
- Easily_Deluded_Fool
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Re: Flute advice please
As somebody who has a Seery, I can say that I wouldn't risk travel with it it there was a risk that it would 'get lost' or damaged.Adrian wrote:I want to buy a keyless, non-wooden, Irish flute that I can travel with and not have to worry too much about the usual wooden instrument care. Any recomendations? The main consideration is sound quality.
Thanks
I also have a couple of Tipple flutes, and take these traveling.
(2 piece low D offset holes - 3 piece low D in line holes - 3 piece low Bflat)
They sound great, especially with the wedge.
If you lose or damage the Tipple(s) then it's no great loss fincially,
and believe me, they take something major to damage them.
So far one of mine has survived a fall from a roof top (don't ask!),
a tumble down a cliff in a rucksack,
being sat on by a passenger in the back seat of my car,
being used to persuade an unruly teenager to see my point of view!
And it still plays well.
HTH
No whistles were harmed in the transmission of this communication.
- kkrell
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Seery: http://www.seerywoodwind.com/Adrian wrote:Thanks for all the input. Where would I get M&E or Seery flutes from. I DID try to search for a supplier but obviously lack a few grey cells.
M&E: http://homepage.tinet.ie/~mandeflutes/
Kevin Krell
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Wooden Flute Obsession CDs (3 volumes, 6 discs, 7 hours, 120 players/tracks)
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A non-profit 501c3 charity/educational public benefit corporation
Wooden Flute Obsession CDs (3 volumes, 6 discs, 7 hours, 120 players/tracks)
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- Henke
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Whoaaat!?Unseen122 wrote:I have an M&E (but it will be leaving in a few days) and I would recommend one, the only downside is that is feels and sounds like plastic.
I read your reply, I just had to.
I disagree very strongly with this as well. M&E, to me, sounds just as wooden as any wooden flute I've played, at least wooden with lined head. I've never played an unlined polymer M&E so I can't comment on how they'd sound without the metal in there. I also disagree that it feels plastic. Of course, it is essentially plastic so it's bound to feel a little bit like plastic. It doesn't feel particularly wooden, but that's something I've never thought about. It feels sturdy and heavier than a wooden flute.