As I’m saving up for a proper flute, I’m practicing with my old Yamaha boehm, and I was having a devil of a time getting decent cuts when playing the b; now I find myself slapping tr1 and getting what seems like a pretty decent cut out of it. Any more info on this from those in the know?
- the next finger up from the last one down
except B, what is cut with T1
On the Boehm, I cut A and B (sometimes G) with the thumb key–definitely a “hard” cut sound. The only note(s) I cut with a trill key is C (C#, maybe); sometimes I use trill 1, sometimes trill 2; haven’t decided which I like better or if I like them at all.
For D, E, F, G, I use the L3 key 90% of the time. Again, definitely a “hard” cut sound.
jason
Hello everyone,
coming out of lurk mode, I make use of the trill keys for cut like effects, but not in ITM. Seeing this post, while at work, promted me to think about it, as it has become an unconsious part of my performance style. This evening I played through a bunch of my favorite ITM tunes, and allmost all cuts were with the thumb or G key (whatever that finger is called). There were none using the trill key at all. If I were only interested in ITM on the boehm, I would concentrate on integratiing those cuts (thumb and G key) into my technique, and ignore the trills until later. BTW, I have found, for practical reasons, I play more ITM on the boehm than my 6 key McGee, so the time spent adapting the simple system ITM techniques to it was well spent.
MichaelS
the trill key is an essential part of ornamentation in irish music on the silver flute. i would never use it to cut as a separation or an isolated ornament, but it is an essential part of of the B and A rolls on the silver flute. i would say to learn how to do it without them, however, but must admit that i ALWAYS use the first trill key (the one closest to your mouth) on A and B, and never do it any other way. i was taught to do this by my uncle, brian mccoy, who is a very accomplished irish flute player, who only plays the silver flute. although, i must add i do believe that he uses the trill key only in B rolls…
my uncle actually has a dvd out on how to play irish music on the silver flute, and i would recommend taking a look at it and putting it on your wish list, as it is really the best resource you could have to get started on the silver flute in irish music. he made the dvd at the request of sir james galway, which i guess helps him be established as “someone in the know,” as you put it.
i am not sure if he uses the trill keys on the dvd–i haven’t watched my copy all the way through, as i have learned all that would be on the dvd and more from him over the years. however, he takes a very thorough approach to breaking down the tunes, and learning all the appropriate ornamentation and stylistic elements.
here is a link to his dvd: http://www.instruction.kellsband.com/learn/Irish_Music_on_the_Classical_Flute.html
here is a link to his website: http://kellsband.com/
i also like to say that if you go to http://www.burkewhistles.com , my uncle is the whistle player playing on the samples that load up with the site. it helps you get a good idea of the quality of his playing without having to click around somewhere else. the samples on the dvd website show the thorough explanations he uses and the teaching style, but don’t really highlight how much of an authority he really is on the the ins and outs of irish music on the silver flute.
now that i think about it, i’m probably going to go through my copy of the cd and practice my basics! i havent played the flute in a while and although i havent forgotten anything i really should get my chops back up to speed. you’ve inspired me… 
edit: apparently my uncle has a myspace! if you want to hear a sample of his playing, go to http://www.myspace.com/thekellsband . i particularly like the track “nathan’s session.” of course there are sound samples on cdbaby etc linked on his website, but i prefer the nice and easy interfaces.
edi edit: so, i was talking to my uncle yesterday about adding youtube videos. apparently he did it already. you can’t get more user friendly than embedded youtube videos: http://kellsband.com/Kells/Videos.html