Chiff and Fipple Forums

Every flute book recommends practicing the scales over and over. Does it just mean to play the standard D major scale (on a D flute, that is)? Or does it mean to play the D scale in all its modes (am I saying this correctly?)? And there are so many modes: Ionian (D major), Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, ...

An update: I took my own advice further and moved the wedge even further from the airstream by rotating the headjoint so that the embouchure hole is 90 degrees from the vertical and reinstalling the wedge. The edge of the wedge is now almost aligned with the bottom of the embouchure hole, but not qu...

, the tonal effect of all these variations (& wedges generally) is subtle. since a flute player hears far more tonal detail than a listener, i wonder how significant these effects actually are. To my ears, the difference is dramatic - not only in the sound but in the playability of the flute. I...

bang, I especially like that security wedge idea. Seems to be a design that Doug might be able to replicate. Did you just copy Doug's wedge dimensions to make it? It seems to have a different shape than the pinned wedge. Is the pinned wedge a copy too? Doug's flute sounds so nice with the wedge in p...

Haven't tried it. The bond from sticky tac is kind of flimsy and the pvc plastic may be too slippery for the sticky tac to grip adhere reliably. On the other hand, if you have sticky tac, it costs you nothing to try it. One caution: if you use sticky tac and later want to try double-sided tape or ev...

I use double-sided tape instead of glue. It's strong enough to hold the wedge in place even when swabbing, but still removable. Scotch makes two types of d-s tape: permanent and removable. I used the permanent d-s, which has more tack. On the bottom of the wedge and starting at the back edge, put ab...

monkey587, does Kinko's cut off the binding of the original book and insert a spiral comb or is the service only for books that they copy?

Here is an example of a Boehm-simple system hybrid from Terry McGee's site. It's Rudall/Rose model 7295:

glinjack, what is the make of this flute?

David, can you describe the sound of that RR cylindrical flute compared to your other RRs? What do you mean by "they don't really 'play' like the cone flutes." How great that they can play into the 4th octave!!! Is the first octave not that good? Can you send me photos? Will pm you with my...

Yes!!!! Thanks peeplj!!! I went through McGee's offerings, but missed this one. Is anyone familiar with the original Metzler cylindrical flute? Terry's site says that the Metzler flutes are not generally the best examples of the period. I've emailed him about this. Maybe there's a good cylindrical R...

brad, would it be possible to make such a flute with smaller tone holes that were ergonomically positioned? I am not necessarily interested in a flute that plays as loudly as a Boehm, just one that has similar sound quality. The Tipple flutes are comfortable 6-hole cylindrical (pvc piping) flutes an...

After much thought on this subject, I believe that I will only be able to get the sound I really want on a cylindrical flute. I don't think I want the Boehm key system though. Every modern maker of wood flutes that I know of makes them with conical bores. Is making a cylindrical wood flute with simp...

David, would you say that if someone could comfortably finger a Pratten's Perfected, the PP is a better choice than the Siccama?

Or does the Siccama offer benefits beyond a manageable grip that outweigh the extra key noise?

Are Siccama key clicks as loud or louder than Boehm flute key clicks? Is there anyway to make them quieter?