I would like to purchase a wooden flute. I have a Boehm flute background, and am having no trouble playing an Olwell Bamboo in F. {I use Rockstro grip, versus piper’s} But my Dixon 3-piece polymer gives me left hand pain whenever I play it for longer than 5 minutes. I’ve tried rotating the middle section, and still have pain in the center of my left palm. I think the polymer’s weight might be part of the problem. [?]
I would like to purchase a wooden flute but don’t want to spend a lot of money and then find that I have hand pain with that too. I’m tempted by Casey Burns’ ergonomic flutes but have read mixed reviews here. Any comments on those re: hole spacing, weight, and of course, overall playability and sound?
How are Copleys with regard to hole spacing, weight, etc.? Other makers?
Any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jeanie
Jeanie - how long have you been playing your Dixon? Many folks feel a bit of hand pain when first playing a trad. flute. That said, the Dixon isn’t the lightest flute, either, and it is a tad thicker than my Seery or a friends Williams. So, if you have not been playing the Dixon long, you might want to give it some time. I think it’s a much nicer flute than folks give it credit for being (playing-wise at least, it’s looks are nothing to write home about).
It would help us all to know your price range. You should be able to sell your Dixon fairly easily, so that will give you some extra cash to play with.
If you’re really on a budget (like I usually am), look at this:
You mention Casey’s flutes get mixed reviews. Well, I personally think we’re a highly opinionated lot and one person’s good flute is another’s poor/average/etc. flute. As long as the maker makes a decent flute, 90% of a flute’s sound is from the player. For example, I recently sold my Dixon 3 piece to a professional flautist who wanted a tough travel/inclement weather flute to play with her band (and also to pass over to her guitarist who dabbles a bit in flute). She received it and let me know it was exactly what she wanted and she liked it better than M&Es she had played. In constrast, lots of folks here will say the M&E is a better flute than the Dixon.
You could also try talking to the makers themselves. I’ve found all I’ve talked to to be a nice lot and more than willing to try to suggest the flute that will best fit your needs.
I’ll second the fact that playing the irish flute just takes some getting used to - especially on the left hand. I’ve been playing the Dixon Polymer for about 9 months now. At first I had wrist pain and even now I need to rest my wrist for a bit after extended playing - at first I would say it had more to do with my posture - this takes a bunch of experimenting - and in the midst of all this you need to inspect your body for where you’re harboring tension.
I’m liking the Dixon Polymer more and more and will probably keep playing it even after my 6 key Copley arrives - especially during the break in period.
When we were in Ireland I let Aoife Granville (this past years all Ireland champion) play my Dixon. When she found out how inexpensive it was she remarked that this was a much better flute than the $600 flutes her students were coming to class with.
That said, I’ve played the M&E and Seery and like them both as well. My lips are just used to the Dixon.
I know it’s frustrating… I’m there with you… I want to sound like a pro yesterday!
I’ve been playing my new Casey Burns Boxwood ergonomic for just about a month now and I do love it. First, the head joint is larger around than some of my other flutes and it fits JUST RIGHT on my chin/under my lip. I find it very comfortable to play and it honks when I want it to - not that I’m the best honker in town! I’ve been playing Irish flute for almost two years now and am developing a decent embouchure. Some flutes are more difficult to play for one person than another is. It would be great to be able to try different flutes for the best “fit” but that’s not easy to do.
As has been said, talk to some of the makers and read more of the posts that I’m sure will follow this one.
I began IT on a M&E and found it a good beginner although a bit heavy. I sold a Seery recently only because it didn’t “fit” me as I wanted.
I’ve just been playing the Dixon about 4 months, and not regularly. I got discouraged with the left-hand pain and didn’t practice it very much. I spent more time on the Olwell bamboo and my Boehm.
So, maybe I should give it more time and attention to my posture, etc. I just don’t want to do any damage to my hand/wrist.
For the present, I’m considering spending anywhere from $1000 to 1500 for a wooden flute. It could be a few months. So, if anyone has any suggestions, I’d welcome them.
My recommendations, for whatever it’s worth: Casey Burns or Glenn Schultz (thin wheasel .com). You won’t go wrong either way, and they’re wonderful flutes to hold.
I’ve got the new casey burns ergonomic pratten in boxwood and I absolutely love it, very responsive and easy to play. the only problem I’ve had is going back to my gemeinhardt, since it’s got an inline G I find myself missing the holes sometimes since I’ve gotten used to the offset G and D on the burns.
Jeanie— does the Boehm you play have an offset G, or is it in-line? If you are used to an offset G on the Boehm, might such an offset key on a wood flute help with the left hand?
I’m all for flutes that are nice to hold (C.B., Schultz, etc), but also keep in mind that you can probably play any kind of “D” flute, it just takes a little more training to play the “uncomfortable” ones. I have small chubby hands and play a Pratten model just fine.
CBurns flutes do work ergonometrically.
The less expensive flutes have
no tuning slide and so I suppose are
lighter. If you phone him, he’ll
give you details; also work with you
in getting you want you want. Do check the website.
Re: Casey Burns ~ Wouldn’t he send out a flute for you to try, if you need something more hand-friendly?
I’m the opposite of you, I guess, my Boehm flutes cause me a lot of pain when I play, and I’ve attributed it to the general slimness of the flute body… I recently purchased a BoPep at the local music store, but haven’t tried it yet…
Anyway, I am not one to talk, but I would go easy if you’re already experiencing wrist or hand pain… There are a couple of threads on that topic that you might browse… My advice is, don’t overdo it! The right wrist sprain I suffered March 02 is JUST NOW GONE, over 18 months later!!! And now I’ve developed a problem with my left thumb!!!
The Boehm I play has an offset G. I think that set-up is much more hand-friendly than the in-line G. That’s why I was interested in Casey Burns’ flutes because he does have off-set G on his ergonomic flutes.
I have two Boehm flutes: One with full-offset G and one with half-offset G. I prefer the half-offset, somehow the full-offset G makes quick finger motions seem clunkier to me. (Of course, I played an inline G for around 30 years before switching). I do think Boehm flute builders focus on the left hand issues too much: My real problem area with regards to reach is my right hand.
Jeanie,
I would recommend using piper’s grip to some degree. I come from a Boehm background as well, and just recently got a Burns flute (which is quite nice), and I use my left hand fingertips and piper’s grip for the right hand, and there is no pain. I have also played a Burns flute with off-set holes, and it did lead to a relaxed hand position. Remember that with no keys, all the “correct” Boehm hand positions are moot. Go for what’s most comfortable and efficient on a keyless flute.
Micah
I agree with this, but also want to add that for some of us people with mini-hands, you can’t find a comfortable position on many keyless flutes. Casey Burns’ approach of fitting the flute to one’s hands seems marvelous for those of us in this situation.
