Chiff and Fipple Forums

Keys. Think about the modern silver flute. All that stuff all over it are the keys. Pressing them will either open or close one or more holes on the flute, some of which are very far away from where your fingers may be.

Here's a quote from Terry McGee from a topic that was linked on the previous page: We can tell by the number of posts on the topic of tone (and by listening at sessions) that it's hard for new players of the Irish flute to find the dark, centred tone which features on the recordings that attracted t...

John Kerr said: My opinion, Jim, is that once again you are asking an irrelevant question and trying to glean from it some knowledge about how the flute should be played. Nice postings John. I surmise that the point is that Mr. Stone isn't really looking for answers. He seems to have enough time on...

One nice thing about the ergonomic placement of the finger holes is that pipers grip is not necessary. That is one thing I really like about my Casey Burns flute. My fingers go right to the holes without trying. All flutes should be this easy. I think if I just train my right thumb to rest a tad clo...

My fife is one piece and all holes are inline. I must lower my head a bit in order to blow into the hole and only then do I get a clear, strong sound. It is similar for my flute but with that, instead of lowering my head a bit, I can turn the hole toward me. If you watch any flute player put their f...

My guess is your new book is Grey Larsen's book. It doesn't hurt to learn his method, using the finger above whatever note you are cutting. But in my own opinion, and please do note that I am a beginner and so I don't know anything, sometimes other fingers just work better and sound better than the ...

Yes sir, John! I won't drop it! I won't put it on the table off which it rolled either.

Since nobody can find the thread you are seeking maybe you should just go ahead and ask your question.

Well, I can't really make my left wrist straight otherwise the hole to blow in isn't anywhere near my face and I'm not about to break my neck trying to reach it. A slight bend in my wrist doesn't seem to hurt me at all. My left hand never hurts playing the flute. Maybe my fingers are just small but ...

I played a raku-fired ceramic flute down at the music shop. It was easy to play, sounded nice, and of course the raku glaze is beautiful. I don't think you're crazy, but I can't for the life of me figure out how they can build one. The clay shrinks as it dries and is fired. You'd have to really know...

I think I need help holding my flute. I seem quite dependent upon my right pinky finger to hold the flute, to the point that it can start to hurt a bit, or else with my boehm flute, to the point that I can't play quickly because I need it to hold the flute. I've tried various ways to use only my rig...

"Ultimate" has the word "mate" in it. A mate is a friend. So "ultifriend" is like "ultimate". Maybe that's in the language called Strine. I'm not sure.

I bought a cheapie and it plays pretty well. Most of the cheapies are excellent. That's the funny thing about this instrument.

I recommend the Fliuit Tutor book. It's for flutes, but you can learn these tunes anyway and they are easy tunes that are fun to play. I'm learning them on my high D whistle, and then after I've got them down I pick up my Bb fife and play them. My flute's in the shop.

For someone with a musical background, the problem isn't mastering the instrument anymore. It's about mastering the music. This is more difficult. Irish music sounds simple but it is not. You will be scoffed at if you play it in a classical style. If you can find an Irish session near you, go to it ...