I’d like to introduce myself. I’ve been playing classical guitar on and off for quite a few years, now, but I’ve always had
an interest in woodwinds. Several years ago I was given a rather nice baroque alto recorder, but I’ve come to the rather sad realization that I don’t like it all that much. This weekend I bought a flute at an antiques show. It appears to be in excellent condition. Next time I go to Manhattan I’ll have the guys at the Flute Center take a look at it. Meanwhile I’d like to find out more about it, and it’s maker
It’s made of boxwood, approximately 23 1/2 inches long, in four sections, seven holes, the last being covered by a key.
the maker is:
A.Binyon, 12 Bells Building, Salisbury Sq., London. There’s a small griffin stamp.
I think that it is from the 19th century, but that’s just a guess. I’d appreciate any info on this maker, and possible date.
Thanks,
Fernando.
The New Langwill Index lists Alfred Binyon as a flute and flageolet maker and at the 12 Bell’s Building address from 1841 to 1844. The length is right for a D flute but you would have to play it to find out what pitch it was made to be played in.
Thank you for the information. That’s much more precise than I had expected. As for the pitch, given my very limited skills, I get a rather sharp A, about +10 cents ,but that’s probably just me, since the cork is rather loose, and I probably moved it to the wrong position when I cleaned the flute. I’m rather surprised that I’m getting a fairly consistent tone.
Again, thanks,
Fernando.
Fernando - sounds like you found a nice, old flute there! If the cork in the headjoint is loose, you definitely should replace it. Wine corks work fine…and you are “required” to drink that darn wine to free up the cork. I think it’s a win-win situation, but that may just be me.
However, older flutes are sometimes in a higher or lower pitch. Yours is pretty close to being in modern pitch…can you get there either by pulling out the headjoint a bit will get you in tune (unless the 10 cents sharp is with the headjoint pulled out a bit).
Another thing is that with a wooden flute you blow down more into the embouchure rather than across it like you do with a silver/Boehm flute. You should be able to pull the pitch down to modern concert A=440 if you are blowing more across rather than down into the hole. Many players roll the headjoint in towards the player a bit to facilitate the air going down rather than across.
to drink that darn wine to free up the cork. I think it’s a win-win situation, but that may just be me.