I’ve currently got a deposit in with Patrick Olwell for a Blackwood D flute. However I placed that order before I got my Copley, which I’m very pleased with, so another blackwood D seems redundant. So I’ve been thinking of asking Patrick to change my order to a Bb flute.
Since I’ve never run across anyone with a Bb, nor have I seen any discussions on them either here or on the woodenflute list, I’m wondering if anyone here has some first hand experience they could share?
Loren
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2001-08-25 15:23 ]
Loren:
I played an Olwell Bb about 5 years ago. It was owned by Larry Nugent and I was pretty amazed at how deep the sound goes!
But, alas, I of the short fingers, I wasn’t very comfortable with it because of the reach. Plus your hands are much further away on the flute because of its length. And you need a soft SOFT lip to really get the tones.
With that in mind, you can always order it, find one to play along the way and then decide if you want to continue the wait for one.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am a bit concerned about the reach, I don’t have large hands or long fingers. However I Low D whistles don’t bother me at all and I’m finding I can make the stretch on my new Overton Low C, but it ain’t easy.
The “Soft Lip” reference you made, does that mean you have to be very gentle and controlled with your breath in order to get the notes? Sorry, I’m still new to the flute thing and don’t know all the terminology yet
Your suggestion about getting on the Bb list and finding one to play in the mean time is a good one. Unfortunately I almost never run into trad flute players here in Florida, so it’s unlikely I’ll see one of those rare and elusive “Blackbelly Long Billed Honkers” during my wait. I might be better off to just stay in line for my Keyless D, at least I know I’ll have no problem getting my money out it should I decide not to keep it.
I don’t suppose you’ve laid your lips on a Grinter Bb at any point have ye?
Thanks again.
Loren
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2001-08-25 18:11 ]
No, sorry, never played the low low low Grinter.
But I do have a Grinter low whistle made of wood coming into the shop real soon for sale, in case anyone is interested.
I ordered a Bb from Olwell a few months ago, and I’d definitely keep that order.
Since Pat told me that he has only made 10 or so, I would assume that he must take some care in getting things right on that. Surely not a mass produced flute. I just can’t wait for that one.
Having said that, I’ve never played another low Bb flute. David, you you come across any?
yep, a few
some great, others not so great
but, alas, isn’t that the case with them all?
they all have in common the need for a soft, maleable lip. Easy on the blowing!
I played a keyless Bb Olwell for a few minutes in Tubbercurry in July 2003. I was surprised by the ease I was able to make it sound, and I’m certainly not an experienced fluteplayer. It was this that started me thinking about trying to get a keyless D by Olwell. Anyway the Bb keyless Olwell seems to be a very nice instrument. I wonder how many of them there are out and about?
Klaus posted some pictures of a D flute next to a Bb flute to demonstrate the differance in sizing and spacing of the holes. I believe they were both Lehart flutes but I could be wrong. The pictures showed that the Bb was infact not much more of a reach than the D. Also Klaus told us that the Bb was remarkably easy to play. Dig that thread up and have a look. Don’t remember the name, sorry, someone else mabey?
i think that klaus sent pictures of tom aebi’s d and b flat flutes, not lehart flutes! maybe i am wrong, but … so, try to search with tom aebi as subject.
marin
Geez, I too remember this conversation distinctly, and Migoya’s reference to needing soft lips to get the notes out of the Bb. Now that I and the Olwell Bb are really old friends…it’s getting better and better. Especially if you like the big black ones.
It was a keyless Wilkes B flat I tried at Tubbercurry last summer, not an Olwell. I wonder how many keyless Wilkes B flat have been made, not so many I would imagine.
Since this discussion has updated, here’s my view… I have a Williams fully keyed in cocus and a friend of mine has a Wilkes fully keyed in blackwood. They are virtually identical as far as hole spacing and overall length go. I think both are based on a Rudall & Rose Bb. We have the occasional flat flute duet in quieter sessions.
As far as playability goes I would say that David is wrong to say the finger holes are spaced wider,it’s only marginal - e,f# & g on the right hand and a,b & c on the left are each contained within 3.25" as opposed to nearer 3" on a concert pitch flute, so small fingers shouldn’t have any problems. The difference is in the length from the blow hole and slightly wider spacing between left and right hand. That needs some work before you get a comfortable grip that keeps the mouth position steady.
As Steampacket says they’re easy enough to get a note out of initially with a soft airstream but once they warm up you can really honk.
Nothing like bringing the dead back to life!
