looking for the perfect flute

Guinness · Post by **Guinness** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:43 pm

Even if one confines their choices to reputable models and makers, it's still very much a hit and miss affair, particularly for someone at the early stages of learning. One's notion of perfection varys with time. So I recommend buying a good quality keyless. It doesn't have to be the loudest (in fact "loud" might be difficult to play). Validate it's playing characteristics with an experienced player/teacher, preferably before finalizing the purchase. Give it a serious go. I do mean serious. Then upgrade, as needed.

Flutered · Post by **Flutered** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:44 am

[quote="The Whistle Collector"]... i am looking for a flute, for the future (not any time soon), that is very bright, easy to play, loud, and speedy. you know a good flute for playing fast reels in the pub without being drowned out, and with good character.

and also a flute for slow airs. an easy player, a nice strong tone, and a bunch of personality....quote]
Sure this is not a bit of a wind up, folks?! It's not a flute, WC is looking for to buy but rather years of experience and practice!! The characteristics WC is looking for surely are more to do with the player.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:01 am

shhh...we's jes' funnin' with 'em

I.D.10-t · Post by **I.D.10-t** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:56 am

Strange, I always imagined the perfect flute being some unknown maker found in an antique store, covered in dust, waiting to be discovered. Looking at the wear on the tone holes and the discoloration near the embouchure, I would be able to tell that it was once cherished and often played. After re-threading the tenons I would blow the first note and it seems that the flute’s long waiting period for a player is over, and the flute sings a song of rejoice.

peeplj · Post by **peeplj** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:06 am

I.D.10-t wrote:Strange, I always imagined the perfect flute being some unknown maker found in an antique store, covered in dust, waiting to be discovered. Looking at the wear on the tone holes and the discoloration near the embouchure, I would be able to tell that it was once cherished and often played. After re-threading the tenons I would blow the first note and it seems that the flute’s long waiting period for a player is over, and the flute sings a song of rejoice.

Things rarely work how we imagine them...

And yet, one thing which is deeply satisfying about playing an actual antique flute which you don't get from playing even the finest new flute is the wonderful knowledge that you stand at the fulcrum and bridge two times, bringing a sound from the old world into the new.

In my own (admittedly peculiar) imagination, I can hear the echo of sound reflected back from the time in which that flute first played, and I become the mechanism by which the circle closes and the promise which was a flute hanging on a wall for generations becomes the reality of music in our time played with a voice from another time.

--James

phcook · Post by **phcook** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:46 pm

Why should the circle close?

dow · Post by **dow** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:41 pm

phcook wrote:Why should the circle close?

Well, coz then it wouldn't be a circle, would it?

Actually, I have just gotten one of these, sort of. It isn't one that sat on the shelf in an antique store for years, but is one of Jon C's ebay finds: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=45532

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:02 pm

peeplj wrote:
I.D.10-t wrote:Strange, I always imagined the perfect flute being some unknown maker found in an antique store, covered in dust, waiting to be discovered. Looking at the wear on the tone holes and the discoloration near the embouchure, I would be able to tell that it was once cherished and often played. After re-threading the tenons I would blow the first note and it seems that the flute’s long waiting period for a player is over, and the flute sings a song of rejoice.
Things rarely work how we imagine them...

And yet, one thing which is deeply satisfying about playing an actual antique flute which you don't get from playing even the finest new flute is the wonderful knowledge that you stand at the fulcrum and bridge two times, bringing a sound from the old world into the new.

In my own (admittedly peculiar) imagination, I can hear the echo of sound reflected back from the time in which that flute first played, and I become the mechanism by which the circle closes and the promise which was a flute hanging on a wall for generations becomes the reality of music in our time played with a voice from another time.

--James

Yeah, you can almost imagine the flute whispering 'Thank you!'
That goes for every instrument that should have been
played but wasn't, and now is. I sometimes think some
musical instruments have souls.

sbfluter · Post by **sbfluter** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:30 pm

I often wonder if my second-hand flutes thank me or if they secretly curse me.

There's an antique wooden flute for sale at an antique store down town. It has keys and an ivory embouchure. Is it silently longing for someone to breathe new life into it? Or is there an elephant in heaven hoping its tusks will be whole again?

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:34 pm

Both, I'm afraid.
Supramundane reality is no
bowl of cherries.

Cork · Post by **Cork** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:10 pm

Your second hand flute secretly thanks you, BTW, for any flute is lonely at not being appreciated by a player. Can you imagine not being appreciated?

In regard to that antique flute, and now that you have seen it, you might as well admit your interest, and if is available at a reasonable price, then take it home. You can always later pass it on to another, interested home.

sbfluter wrote:I often wonder if my second-hand flutes thank me or if they secretly curse me.

There's an antique wooden flute for sale at an antique store down town. It has keys and an ivory embouchure. Is it silently longing for someone to breathe new life into it? Or is there an elephant in heaven hoping its tusks will be whole again?

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looking for the perfect flute

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