Unlike the equisonant flute, the flute for India was an ordinary simple system instrument: an eight-key, large-holed English flute. But it was made in metal to avoid damage by extreme climates.
It sounds more-or-less like any large-holed wooden English flute of the time. After hearing it, a modern flutist friend once said that it was the strongest evidence that the material of a flute does not much affect the tone that I could present.
Wow, look at that conical bored wonder! I spent about ten minutes with my eyes riveted to it. Note the unusual plates(?) around the tone holes, and that (perhaps ivory) embouchure is unique.
That’s a pretty neat flute, Rob! Thanks for the pictures-I hadn’t seen it on Terry’s site either, and thanks for that link, I.D.10-t. Complete with telegraph keywork (see Terry’s pics)! Some engineering there. It would be interesting to hear and play too.
Also reminds me of a Copeland Low D. I wonder if Michael could make a flute head for mine?!!
i’d keep the keys and maybe use delrin for the mouthpiece, personally; i wonder if it would be a significant cost savings over a keyed timber flute – assuming a maker would attempt such a thing.
the embouchure reminded me of Tommy’s whistles, which he makes in fake ivory and wood – i think it’s a cool look:
Cost savings could depend on the choice of metal, maybe brass yes, maybe gold no, and maybe silver break even, but that’s just a guess.
From a manufacturing point of view, however, such a tapered bore could be extruded economically and without much difficulty, even using hand powered machinery, and much easier than having to taper-bore a long piece of wood. And, there is no need to age or season metal.
Perhaps a market could exist for such a flute, but I suspect it could be a limited one. Like, hello C&F!
If what you have in mind could be an equivalent of a Boehm flute, then yes, you are on to something. However, the basic design of this simple system flute could be executed by other, much simpler means.
For instance, why put any keys on it? Or, keep the keywork to a minimum.
The Clinton metal flute is interesting as a very unique instrument, but I think the advent of the polymer flute (in both keyed and unkeyed varieties) from several makers pretty much fills the need that the Clinton metal flute was originally designed to address: a very durable instrument designed for play in less-than-ideal conditions.
From a purely functional point of view, yes, a polymer construction likely is a great choice. However, a silver flute just strikes my fancy, and, as has already been said, as above, if the quality control were high enough, I’d go for one, too.
Has anyone had a look at this? I’m a bit puzzled there haven’t been any follow-up comments…
This flute is precisely the same sort of thing as the Clinton - just rather less ornately made - and, dare I say it, more elegant? It would probably be much easier to manufacture a copy of this rather than the Clinton!
