I have a question regarding bamboo flutes and cold temperatures. I have a few bamboo flutes that I use, including a couple of Olwells which I LOVE.
I have read (here and here for example) that it is not a good idea to play a bamboo flute in low temperatures because the warm breath heats the interior while the exterior stays cold, leading to differential expansion, stress and cracks.
I’ve used a fairly nice, but very cheap Bina bamboo flute (in G# of all keys) while camping for years, and it’s never split, but I’m thinking of taking the Olwells on the next trip, and I’m a bit more worried. First, they’re a LOT more expensive and harder to come by, they’re made of much thinner bamboo, and have no bindings.
So the question is, at what sort of temperature do I need to worry about temperature cracks in a bamboo flute? Playing outdoors on an Irish Summer night by the sea? It can be surprisingly nippy, maybe 8 or 9C. Is that too cold? Where’s the line?
I doubt you would have a problem at any temperature that was a good bit above freezing-8 or 9 deg C, which is about 46-48 deg F, “sounds pretty safe to me.” Note the quotes. Drastic temerature or humidity change is often the problem with cracks in any wooden instrument. But they are your instruments, and you can do as you wish, though as you’ve already stated how much you love the Olwells, and how hard they are to come by…it just makes a lot more sense not to take them along, in my opinion. So, it seems you’ve really answered your own question already about taking them along on your trip or not. The Olwells being thinner and also with no bindings just reinforces your hesitation about it-sound reasoning I think.
It probably makes the most sense to just get another cheaper bamboo flute or two to have just for that purpose, like the one you mentioned you have already. Maybe another bamboo or two in a key you love to play, or even a key you don’t have already, would be a good choice as one of your travel flutes. Vacations are for fun, not worry!
Thanks for bringing this subject up. I’ve always left my bamboo whistle at home. It’s missed out on some great camping trips and hot summer day trips because I’ve worried about the excessive temperatures.
