I ordered a custom, boxwood, keyless, left-handed flute from Casey Burns mid-2002. I received it early October. I have enjoyed playing it more than I ever anticipated. By December I was convinced that I should make the step to a keyed instrument. After considering multiple options, which included purchasing a new flute all together, I decided to have Casey turn me a new single section to hold 5 of the 6 keys. I just received the instrument, so I cannot tell you how it plays. But the flute is very nice looking, so I thought I’d share a photo with the group. Check it out at: http://kendaco.telebyte.com/cburns/left-handed-flute.jpg
Okaayyy, so I went to the site and took a look. It is a piece of wood with holes drilled in it and some metal attached. I’m sorry, but I just don’t get into this fascination with looking at a piece of wood. The real test of an Irish Flute is the sound, tone, timbre, feel. These pictures as well as the opulent “porn” pics of another thread just leave me cold. I simply cannot understand how people can go ga ga over a piece of wood. That indicates to me object worship. Now, when a true musician who has practiced and honed his art on a well made flute entertains himself and others with the instrument, that is something of true value. When I am practicing my Copley/Boegli flute I do not think for one moment: just look at those lines, just look at that wood and those shiny keys. No, I think, how wonderful my playing does sound and man I am getting so much joy from creating music.
Piper7 - Thanks for your input. It’s nice to hear what others think. I assume you’re open to the same honesty, so…seek help. Your interpersonal skills really leave a lot to be desired.
When looking at the “piece of wood”, we are appreciating the maker’s craft and skill. Granted, if it looks great and sounds rotten then it is still just a piece of wood - albeit elegantly crafted.
But hey, I think it’s a great looking piece of wood and is testament to the skill and dedication imparted upon it by its maker. If I could craft a piece of wood like that I’d be a happy man. If I could own it I’d be even happier, and if I could play it my ecstacy would know no bounds.
Enjoy your wood (Hey, wait a minute - didn’t Ron Jeremy make a film called that!!!)
Steve,
it looks like a seriously nice flute and the keywork looks good against the pale wood - is it silver, it should develop a nice patina over the years.
By the way what’s the difference between a keyless lefthanded flute and a keyless right handed flute?
As far as looking at instruments as works of art, I’m all in favour whether it’s a fine old stadivarius or a flute or anything. Guitar players rave about the finish on their prize Martin or Gibson Les Paul so why not admire the aesthetics of a flute or set of pipes. These things are surely made to look good as well as sound good. Maybe you should tell Piper7 how much the thing costs as on a different thread he has equated talent with earning power, maybe good looks only come with big investments.
I’m a musician who always turns down bookings because I’d rather play with my friends at a time and place I want to and stop if I feel like talking the night away - obviously got no talent!
Welcome U2. But, I think you are being a little harsh on Loren and some of the others who use foul language on the board when you talk about the “crutch” and use that swearing phrase. Enjoy your flute.
On the other matter, I think it’s not uncommon to appreciate certain objects both for their practical use as well as their appearance.
Cars are a perfect example. Some people regard them merely as tools meant to get us from point A to point B, and judge them solely on performance, reliability, and comfort. For these folk, carmakers could make use of the most Spartan design and appearance and no one would care. The car runs well…that’s all they need.
But the majority of people out there aren’t like that. Putting aside the hardcore car fanatics, even the average consumer considers appearance AND practicality when they need a new car. And when most of us get a new car, we like to show it off. Human nature…not object worship in my opinion.
Getting back to flutes, the makers put a lot of work into designing instruments that play well AND have a certain look, too. Some are more modern, some are more vintage, some are flashier than others, etc. The makers put a lot of heart and soul into their craftsmanship and their art. I think it would be a great loss if their hard work both in form and function failed to be appreciated by customers.
Some people like to play show and tell…others could care less. Doesn’t create much bother either way, as far as I can tell.
In reply to the differnce between a rh &lh flute.I’m a left handed fluter also and I have a normal right handed M&E which sounds OK to me. I am waiting on a keyless wooden flute from Hammy Hamilton with the embouchure hole cut for a left hander, sometimes the offset of the finger holes may be adjusted too.
kenr - There is no difference between a RH and LH flute in many cases. With this instrument, however, Casey made the embouchure hole to favor a left-handed player. He slightly offset the ring finger holes toward the hand side. This allows the player’s fingers to cover the holes very naturally and comfortably.
Is there really a benefit to a left handed flute? I’m assuming that you play this holding out to the left, with your right hand closest to the embouchure end. Am I correct?
I feel like I’m using both hands more or less equally when I play in the standard fashion, so I don’t see a real advantage to going the other way.
The disadvantage I see is that you get used to this orientation, and picking up and playing somebody else’s instrument gets much more difficult.
I see similar discussions for other instruments - Guitar springs to mind first - so this isn’t a topic unique to flute players.
I stand corrected, but it was a bit tongue in cheek. Actually my Bb has the holes offset so it would be a bit of a pain for a left hander. My other flutes are older models and they’re just right handed on the way the keys are laid out.
I play regularly with a left handed flute player and his flute is basically right handed but he gets round it no problem.
On 2003-02-11 16:01, rosenlof wrote:
Since I’m left handed, I’ll ask this…
“Is there really a benefit to a left handed flute? I’m assuming that you play this holding out to the left, with your right hand closest to the embouchure end. Am I correct?..The disadvantage I see is that you get used to this orientation, and picking up and playing somebody else’s instrument gets much more difficult.”
rosenlof - I agree with you in principal. I’m not left-handed. I picked up the whistle and began learning on my own in a bit of a vacuum. I knew it would be proper to have one hand on top, so I copied Mary Bergin. It was two years later when I learned Mary’s hands are oriented backwards. At the time it was of no concern to me because I didn’t see me moving to the flute. But, as you all know, it is a special instrument. I can say with certainty I will not be relearning all the mechanics. I’ve had no problems playing someone elses keyless flutes, even with a cut-away embouchure favoring a righty.
Stan - Me too!
To others, thanks for the compliments on the flute appearance. It sounds great too. All the notes play dead-on pitch and the whole thing feels good under the fingers.
I notice that your new middle joint has post-mounted keys. I was wondering if you had a choice between block and post mounted keys with Casey, and, if so, what made you choose post mounts. I’m asking this because I currently have an unkeyed Hamilton flute, but have a keyed body on order. Hammy will either post- or block-mount keys based on personal preference, but I don’t have a good enough sense yet of what factors recommend one method over the other. Any thoughts?
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On 2003-02-12 23:13, Harry wrote:
I don’t know about the flute, Bono, but I’ll take a half dozen of those lovely blue towels… )
Well Harry, I signed the post with my name after our previous exchange. Apparently you recall it. What do you mean you don’t know about the flute? I thought you knew everything. Where do I send the towels? Is that Belfast, Sligo, Dublin, or…are you on the run by any chance? Best regards, Steve
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