Irish flute
James Moore
I'd like to take up the Irish flute. I've got a couple questions:
1. How much should I expect to pay for a decent beginner's flute?
2. What makers should I look for? One of the shops around here has a
K C Burke for $495 - does that sound reasonable?
3. Are there any good teach yourself Irish flute books?
4. Good recordings to listen to?
Thanks,
--
James Moore /|\ ja...@wrs.com
Wind River Systems \|/ Alameda, California
"Half of what he said meant something else, and the other half
didn't mean anything at all"
Jim Fownes
ja...@wrs.com (James Moore) writes:
>1. How much should I expect to pay for a decent beginner's flute?
>
Lark in the Morning (catalog and store) has a version made for them
at $295. No keys. Sounds good. Ralph Sweet's are even less.
I can't exactly tell where you're coming from. If you're quite
new at winds, start with a pennywhistle -- making good tone with
a flute is pretty hard for a beginner.
>3. Are there any good teach yourself Irish flute books?
>
Lark also sells a video taught by Mickey Zekley. I don't know
how it is. Several books listed in their book section. Elderly's
lists several books. Tinwhistle tutors also can teach tunes and
ornaments for simple flutes. I like the one by LE McCullogh
(his tunebook and tape, 120 Session Tunes is also pretty good).
>4. Good recordings to listen to?
I am always impressed with Matt Malloy, especially his solo or
small group work. The problem is, he is so good that you may
suffer discouragement because it is unlikely you will ever be
that good! On a solo album and on a Chieftains album, he plays
Mason's Apron solo that leaves my mouth hanging open in wonder.
Good luck,
Jim
Daniel Matejka
>In article <james.7...@wrs.com>,
>ja...@wrs.com (James Moore) writes:
>>1. How much should I expect to pay for a decent beginner's flute?
> Lark in the Morning (catalog and store) has a version made for them
> at $295. No keys. Sounds good. Ralph Sweet's are even less.
And prices vary monstrously from there. The least expensive decent
keyless flute I've seen was about $200. You can pay $1000, if you really
want to. (Even more for keys, of course). The justification for a
higher price is, in my opinion, how warm and woody it sounds when played hard.
Go cheap for starters.
>2. What makers should I look for? One of the shops around here has a
>K C Burke for $495 - does that sound reasonable?
Ah, you want to start a fight, don't you?
I have a Casey Burns. People generally speak kindly of his work.
Mine plays easily and sounds pretty good. I've never had a chance to play
a Ralph Sweet for any time, but in my underresearched opinion, I don't
particularly like them. That means I haven't been able to get a tone
I liked on the one or two of them I've toyed with. Michael Copeland's
flutes have been kind of variable. They seem to range from quite good
to really, really nice. Dave Williams I don't really know, but he seems
to have a reputation for consistently good work.
That's every name I know. I don't think you can go terribly wrong
on a keyless beginner's flute. Er, that is, if you stay away from those
gnarly bamboo holed swizzle stick things you'll find taking up booth space
at new age faires.
There's another question on flute-buying you might find entertaining.
They come in two basic styles. At least, in the category I'm thinking of.
Do you want a Pratten bore or not? I forget the exact story, but Pratten
I think was the last flute designer to make an innovative change to
the instrument before Boehm designed the modern flute. Pratten-style flutes
have a wider bore and larger finger holes. All-around tougher to play,
but they have a big, booming sound. Personally, I don't have one. But
I lust after them occasionally.
>>3. Are there any good teach yourself Irish flute books?
> Lark also sells a video taught by Mickey Zekley. I don't know
> how it is. Several books listed in their book section. Elderly's
It's a little overwhelming for a beginner. Mickey plays several
tunes in several different styles, while the camera watches. Mickey's
a very good player, and has a lot to teach, but maybe this video
should be on laser disc with super slo-mo. There's an introductory
section up front showing the common types of ornamentation. You
get to listen and watch just what he's doing to make it happen.
It's pretty worthwhile, all in all, but you'll probably want something
else to get you just started.
Have any friends who play Irish flute?
I like "Timber, the Concert-Flute Tutor," by Fintan Vallely. It's
not very thick, but it covers the basics with Humour and Style. A tutor
is more useful if it comes with a cassette, though. Vallely's does,
but I seem to remember recoiling from it in horror. Last I checked,
Elderly Instruments carried this one.
>>4. Good recordings to listen to?
> I am always impressed with Matt Malloy, especially his solo or
> small group work. The problem is, he is so good that you may
> suffer discouragement because it is unlikely you will ever be
> that good! On a solo album and on a Chieftains album, he plays
Yeah, no kidding! If you try to learn from Malloy, you'll be wanting to
make recordings you can play back at half speed or less. I did that thing.
Now that I'm a bit more accustomed to the music, I fancy I can hear
what he's doing at normal speed. But I'm probably just fooling myself.
Frankie Kennedy of Altan is also worthy of aspiration, thinks I.
Different style, more immitable, but equally worthwhile.
Iskandar Taib
Daniel Matejka <dmat...@netcom.com> wrote:
> That's every name I know. I don't think you can go terribly wrong
>on a keyless beginner's flute. Er, that is, if you stay away from those
>gnarly bamboo holed swizzle stick things you'll find taking up booth space
>at new age faires.
Does this mean to stay away from the inexpensive wood/bamboo flutes
from Elderly Instruments? ^_^
I'm rather spoiled - whistles go for about $6.50..
--
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