I was able to get the “flute of my dreams” (or my Holy Grail, as mentioned in another thread) this summer.
I bought it eyes wide open, knowing that it’s elderly and built to play about A=330. I have a similar, slightly newer flute that was built to play A=335 (today’s A is about 340, correct?)
Here are the grimy details:
Dream flute:
Haynes, ca. 1918, wood, silver Boehm key system, C foot (offset G, plateau keys). It’s incredibly responsive and hard for me to put back down once I pick it up.
Other flute:
H. Bettony, ca. 1940s, wood, German silver (I think) Boehm key system, C foot (also offset G, plateau keys). I’ve had it for over 20 years–I had never even heard of wood Boehms before I saw this one. I HAD to have it. The late Mr. Ranalli (the seller) and his son are the only ones I’ve let work on it since.
What are my options for compensating? I can’t always play by myself or with people willing to tune down.
–I have already pushed the head cork in almost up to the embrochure opening in the Haynes. What’s that doing to my octave tuning?
–Should I consider a second headjoint? That’s an expense I’m not really in a position to consider (I’m still paying for the Haynes).
I bought it eyes wide open, knowing that it’s elderly and built to play about A=330. I have a similar, slightly newer flute that was built to play A=335 (today’s A is about 340, correct?)
A=440, but yours was probably just a typo?
I’m too new at the flute myself to know how to offer you help, though I can say that my 1840 Wolf and Co. boxwood has a very flat low D when I play it, but my teacher can make it sound perfect, so there is hope.
And your flutes sound wonderful!
Carol
[ This Message was edited by: cskinner on 2002-12-15 12:22 ]
You won’t be able to play with set modern-pitch instruments (other flutes, accordians, pianos, etc.), but guitarists and other stringed accompanists can always tune to you; you don’t always have to play alone.
Oh, and it’s probably best not to move the cork position too much – you will lose the internal tuning. As you say, a new head is a possibility, but will be quite an expense, so you’re probably best staying with your current tuning.
Yes “340” was a typo, but when I first posted, “440” was lost somewhere in my subconscious.
Yeah, pushing the cork in is bothersome, but seems to work in the two octaves I use the most.
I’ll just limp along asking people to retune–it’s such a fun flute I can’t leave it alone.
I sometimes use the H. Bettony, which is a little less of a tuning problem, in instances where I’m afraid something will happen to the Haynes (which, as I said, still isn’t paid for).
