Has anyone played an Alba flageolet?
I’m wondering what they sound like and if their playing characteristics are similar to regular whistles…volume?, etc…
-Brett
I bet Stacey has.
Stacey was kind enough to send me a flageolet knowing that I’m interested in them. I never posted a review because I was kind of disappointed with it. Not really in an absolute sense, but it was nothing like my antique French flageolet.
The flageolet has a chamber between the mouthpiece and the “real” airway. This prevents clogging. My big complaint with the Alba is that the mouthpiece isn’t really large enough to move as much air as is necessary. So you have to blow incredibly hard and move a lot of air at the same time, which I find very difficult. I actually take the mouthpiece off now and blow directly into the windway. It’s a lot easier to play that way, at least for me. (I know this probably doesn’t make much sense – I’m having a difficult time describing it.)
The sound is pretty much the same as the Alba whistles, big and chiffy. And the appearance, as with all of Stacey’s work, is stunning.
I’ve sent it and an Alba whistle off to another listmember, who I hope will post his impressions, too. My impressions of Alba whistles don’t seem in line with the reviews posted recently, so either I’m out of the norm or they’ve changed.
I’ve always thought they looked pretty. I don’t know anything about flageolets, though. What sorts of music are they tradionally used for?
I’d like the opportunity to try a flageolette, myself. They were invented by Sieur Juvigny in 1581, and were used in small orchestras, as well as in dance and theatrical music. They are descended from the flageol, which is basically what we would call a whistle. The English flageolette, with all the finger holes on the front, was patented in the early 19th Century.
Interstingly enough, the word “flageolet” in modern French means a sort of green dried bean (traditionally served with leg of lamb). I have no clue if there is a connection with the instrument…
I have a real 19th century flagelot. It has been repaired but sound comes from it but not that loudly. It reminds me of a recorder.