Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
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Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
All,
My son, who is 10, plays the whistle but is thinking about taking up the flute so he can join a local ceili band. (Apparently they have enough whistlers.)
I am going to hunt around on this site and elsewhere for a used instrument. Any suggestions on what to look for? Wood vs plastic? And are the cheaper ones typically harder to play?
Thanks for any thoughts.
Best,
Joe
My son, who is 10, plays the whistle but is thinking about taking up the flute so he can join a local ceili band. (Apparently they have enough whistlers.)
I am going to hunt around on this site and elsewhere for a used instrument. Any suggestions on what to look for? Wood vs plastic? And are the cheaper ones typically harder to play?
Thanks for any thoughts.
Best,
Joe
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
Consider the delrin flute without rings from this page:
http://www.copleyflutes.com/catalog.html
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better flute for the price. It's also perfect in that delrin is very forgiving and will not crack or break if dropped. Excellent sounding flutes for the price!
http://www.copleyflutes.com/catalog.html
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better flute for the price. It's also perfect in that delrin is very forgiving and will not crack or break if dropped. Excellent sounding flutes for the price!
Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
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- MadmanWithaWhistle
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
I would point out that the Tipples, while a very good invention from a great guy, are not really on the same level as the Copley, which is indistinguishable from many more expensive flutes from great makers. A fellow at my session let me play it, and I was very impressed with the tone and ease of play.
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
Also, Tipples have bigger finger holes and a wider spread than a conical-bored flute, which could be an issue for a kid.
I've been very happy with my Copley & Boegli for more than a decade now. (However, that doesn't exactly have small holes either, FYI. A small-handed model from Casey Burns might be good.)
I've been very happy with my Copley & Boegli for more than a decade now. (However, that doesn't exactly have small holes either, FYI. A small-handed model from Casey Burns might be good.)
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
If you are looking for a decent wooden flute for little outlay, i reccommend Tony Millyard, based in England Tony's flutes are very professionally made and sound as good if not better than some that cost 3 times the price of his. A Keyless Model is £475 http://www.tonymillyard.com/prices/ here's a link of me playing a Tony Millyard.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X88Ib1Owv-s
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
I cut my teeth on an older model M&E Rudall by Michael Cronnolly, it sounds great and it's very easy to play. They're quite reasonably priced as well, and he usually keeps a number of keyless polymers in stock so you wouldn't have to wait long. Worth a look, I'd say.
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
I've owned a Copley and a M&E in delrin, and both were quality and well-priced instruments.
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
I recommend the Hammy Hamilton Practice flute. It may be cheap, but you will be hard pressed to find a flute that plays better for less than $400. It is also pretty much indestructible. I have a couple of other flutes, but this one is the one that stays accessible in my house. My children (2 and 4 yrs old) are remarkably good at breaking things. Any wooden flute left in reach would meet a very swift demise.
http://www.hamiltonflutes.com/Practice_Flutes.html
The next step from the Hamilton Practice Flute would be a Casey Burns Folk Flute. This is also a great deal and a great flute. He also makes a small handed version of the fol flute that might suit your son if he has smaller hands.
http://www.hamiltonflutes.com/Practice_Flutes.html
The next step from the Hamilton Practice Flute would be a Casey Burns Folk Flute. This is also a great deal and a great flute. He also makes a small handed version of the fol flute that might suit your son if he has smaller hands.
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
I would have a look at Ebay.
See f.i. http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Traditional-Iris ... 3aabe4047c
or
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/NEW-STYLE-PROFES ... 2c99a8b46a
or
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/New-Irish-Profes ... 235609a1a9
Why spend hundreds of dollars if it can be much cheaper.
See f.i. http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Traditional-Iris ... 3aabe4047c
or
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/NEW-STYLE-PROFES ... 2c99a8b46a
or
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/New-Irish-Profes ... 235609a1a9
Why spend hundreds of dollars if it can be much cheaper.
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
For a 10 year old, probably better to get a plastic flute. In the future you may want to replace a wooden flute with another better one, but a good plastic flute is a useful thing to have always even when you will feel like you want to "upgrade" (to a keyed flute for example).
All suggestions above are good of course, my raccomendation though is to get a plastic (delrin) flute from Vincenzo di Mauro, italian flute maker based in Galway. Unlike some of the other makers mentioned he has a small hole model which would be more comfortable for a kid (or for anyone for that matter).
I think it's 300 euros for the cheapest model:
http://vdmflutes.free.fr/UK/Delrinuk.html
All suggestions above are good of course, my raccomendation though is to get a plastic (delrin) flute from Vincenzo di Mauro, italian flute maker based in Galway. Unlike some of the other makers mentioned he has a small hole model which would be more comfortable for a kid (or for anyone for that matter).
I think it's 300 euros for the cheapest model:
http://vdmflutes.free.fr/UK/Delrinuk.html
Antique 6 key French flute for sale: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=102436
youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LorenzoFlute
youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/LorenzoFlute
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
These instruments may call for a certain amount of caution.... Might want to take a skim throught viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34685 before going too far down that road.sarton wrote:I would have a look at Ebay.
See f.i. http://www.ebay.nl/itm/Traditional-Iris ... 3aabe4047c
or
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/NEW-STYLE-PROFES ... 2c99a8b46a
or
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/New-Irish-Profes ... 235609a1a9
Why spend hundreds of dollars if it can be much cheaper.
Best wishes.
Steve
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
Steve is being WAY too diplomatic! Do NOT buy one of those FSOs (flute-shaped objects). The only thing that will do for your 10-year-old is turn him away from the flute... I reiterate my recommendation of Dave Copley's flutes. I have played (or owned) M&E, Copley, Forbes, Dixon, Tipple, (and probably some more) delrin flutes and think that the Copley is your best bet for encouraging a young player. It's the easiest to play and get a decent tone from - hands down. Granted, that's a personal opinion and based on my own experience and embouchure. I should mention that I currently play a Garry Somers delrin Pratten as my back-up/camping flute and it is the best of the whole lot, BUT I don't think it would be suitable for a beginner - large holes and a fairly unforgiving embouchure. Best sound, but a little more work than most of the others.
Best of luck in your search!
Pat
Best of luck in your search!
Pat
Pat Plunkett, Wheeling, WV
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Re: Flute suggestions for a wee beginner
For a 10-year-old, I don't know that I'd recommend a D flute. The stretch and the diameters of the largest holes might prove to be a problem. For that reason I'd suggest the M&E over the Copley. I have a strong preference for the Copley myself, but the M&E's holes are smaller and it's a fine flute in its own right.
If the kid's hands are far from adult size, I'd suggest an F or G flute -- Phil Bleazey makes a wonderful G flute, and Ralph Sweet makes a good one that's very reasonably priced.
If the kid's hands are far from adult size, I'd suggest an F or G flute -- Phil Bleazey makes a wonderful G flute, and Ralph Sweet makes a good one that's very reasonably priced.
Charlie
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