what makes a "honker"?

[Flogging Jason]

I'm a whistle player by trade but fascinated by wooden flutes. I've listened to alot of music and I've read a few posts and people talk about flutes that really "honk". I love the sound of wooden flutes with sounds ranging from rich and woody to light and airy. But, my favorite flute sound is that thick honk especially in the low octaves. I've read that certain makers are known for this sound( though I can't remember which) and I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what it is in a particular flute that gives it that sound?

[Whistlin'Dixie]

.... I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what it is in a particular flute that gives it that sound?

The player





M

[Denny]

sure...answer the easy questions

[jim stone]

Dave Copley writes (I closely paraphrase) that the Pratten design has
long been a favorite for ITM because it can be played
to produce a loud and powerful tone, and is solid in the
low register with a strong low D. You can check his site.

Not that one can't honk on other flutes, but flutes
described as 'honkers' tend to be Prattenesque.

Patrick Olwell and hammy hamilton are two well respected
makers of Pratten style flutes. Part of what makes
for the powerful tone and strong low D is a larger
bore. Also these flutes tend to have large finger holes,
which helps make for volume.

[Unseen122]

So they are too well respected Jim? Yeah Prattens tend to be thought of as honkers. I would describe my Casey Burns Pratten as a real honker.

[Chiffed]

Beware: Relative Newbie Observations

Any well-made flute for irish music will honk if played right; they just go at it from different routes.

My Pratten style is just plain big. Big bore, big toneholes, big finger stretches, big hand-cramps if you're not used to it, and a big hooty airy tone if you're not good at it. Think of it as a NASCAR road-course car: big, loose, powerful in excess, and useless in the wrong hands. Capable of great things, though, in the right hands.

My smaller holed flute is like a small Formula car: less displacement, less brute force, but capable of the same results, same tunes, same ornaments, same volume, very similar tones.

I actually find the 'honk' part easier on the small-holed. It's more a tone and timbre thing than a volume thing, anyway.

Listen to Grey Larson (small holed Hall) and Matt Molloy (big Pratten) and hear the difference or lack thereof in the 'honk' department. Then understand that Molloy would very likely sound like Molloy were he to pick up Larson's 'little' flute.

PS: The car analogies are kind of a tradition 'round here, eh?

[jim stone]

So they are too well respected Jim? Yeah Prattens tend to be thought of as honkers. I would describe my Casey Burns Pratten as a real honker.

Oh, gee! Thanks for catching that.

[Unseen122]

Listen to Grey Larson (small holed Hall) and Matt Molloy (big Pratten) and hear the difference or lack thereof in the 'honk' department. Then understand that Molloy would very likely sound like Molloy were he to pick up Larson's 'little' flute.

Very good point, remember that recording that Gary Kelly made with the same player one tune and a bunch of different Flutes?

[Jon C.]

i was going to say the "Honkey".

[Chiffed]

i was going to say the "Honkey".

Some flutes are hokey....

[Denny]

Listen to Grey Larson (small holed Hall) and Matt Molloy (big Pratten) and hear the difference or lack thereof in the 'honk' department. Then understand that Molloy would very likely sound like Molloy were he to pick up Larson's 'little' flute.

Very good point, remember that recording that Gary Kelly made with the same player one tune and a bunch of different Flutes?

most all were Prattens

[Denny]

i was going to say the "Honkey".

Some flutes are hokey....

it's still the player, eh?

[m31]

I'm a whistle player by trade but fascinated by wooden flutes. I've listened to alot of music and I've read a few posts and people talk about flutes that really "honk". I love the sound of wooden flutes with sounds ranging from rich and woody to light and airy. But, my favorite flute sound is that thick honk especially in the low octaves. I've read that certain makers are known for this sound( though I can't remember which) and I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what it is in a particular flute that gives it that sound?

What everybody else said but I'd also add the sound/mixing engineer.

[treeshark]

I'm a whistle player by trade but fascinated by wooden flutes. I've listened to alot of music and I've read a few posts and people talk about flutes that really "honk". I love the sound of wooden flutes with sounds ranging from rich and woody to light and airy. But, my favorite flute sound is that thick honk especially in the low octaves. I've read that certain makers are known for this sound( though I can't remember which) and I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what it is in a particular flute that gives it that sound?

What everybody else said but I'd also add the sound/mixing engineer.

I recommend Honk4.3 it's a great plug in it also has the MegaD™ bottom end booster. If you've never had your bottom end boosted then this is one for you!

[Cathy Wilde]

I'm a whistle player by trade but fascinated by wooden flutes. I've listened to alot of music and I've read a few posts and people talk about flutes that really "honk". I love the sound of wooden flutes with sounds ranging from rich and woody to light and airy. But, my favorite flute sound is that thick honk especially in the low octaves. I've read that certain makers are known for this sound( though I can't remember which) and I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what it is in a particular flute that gives it that sound?

What everybody else said but I'd also add the sound/mixing engineer.

I recommend Honk4.3 it's a great plug in it also has the MegaD™ bottom end booster. If you've never had your bottom end boosted then this is one for you!

I had my bottom end boosted once. I was sort of hoping they wouldn't bring it back as I had plenty extra.