I wonder if anyone could shed some light on this for me please; never having been able to compare this for myself.
I’m assuming an Eb flute is proportionally smaller than a D in all it’s components; headjoint, body and foot. Maybe this is a rogue assumption.
However, if it is so, is using a D flute with just an Eb body a compromise? Are there slight intonation issues with doing this rather than using a true Eb flute?
Would the headcork, for instance, need to be moved slightly when interchanging between bodies?
I’d like an Eb to be able to play along with the many recordings I have in that key on CD but am wondering whether it’s better to look for a whole flute in Eb or a body that will fit my current D. It’s a six-keyed Lehart, by the way.
It’s really a question for Jil Lehart. Does he make an Eflat body or only seperate flutes and what does he feel are the compromises? I’ve not seen an Eflat section for a Lehart flute like I have for Noy, Olwell, and Grinter.
I have one head joint with C, B, Bb, and A bodies. There are some tuning issues but you just get on with it and play it with lipping etc. As a whole the system works and it’s way more than a semitone, but not perfect.
If you just plug in a random Eb body and it fits and works great, I would call that a stroke of pure luck. I agree with dunnp: contact the maker for the additional Eb body, or get a separate Eb flute.
One simple solution would be to get “Amazing Slowdowner” or a similar program, then you can play the CD’s a semitone lower and play along with your D flute.
If you want an E flat body, then definitely start by talking to Jil Lehart.
Your assumptions about the proportions are right on. The E flat flute is scaled down by approximately 6% from a D flute, though generally the inside diameter is not scaled down (probably because it is easier to keep a standard diameter of metal tubing for the head joint liner). So ideally the E flat flute would need a shorter head joint, but the difference is small enough that you probably would not notice any loss of tone.
Just to clarify, I really like my Lehart and I wouldn’t dream of just putting any Eb body I could find on to it (even if it did fit) - just wouldn’t be right.If I decided to go down the body v whole flute route, I’d certainly talk to Gilles first.
At this stage, I was more concerned with any generic tuning implications and degree that embouchure gymnastics may be called into play to have to force a composite D/Eb into acceptable tune before thinking about which way to go. I realise too that this is pretty subjective but was interested in what others may have done if faced with the same thoughts on choice.
I guess the financial aspect of getting a body over another complete flute appeals too – especially as I’d want keys … for no other reason than I use them, like them and, having got used to them, feel playing is less fun without them.
Yeah, Dave – I have Audacity installed on my laptop and have used it to change tempo and key for a few tunes on occasion and it’s a really useful bit of freeware indeed, but I find it a bit time consuming and not always spontaneous to have to do it when fancying “joining in” with a virtual mate on CD – plus, to be honest, I’m intrigued by the playability of an Eb compared to a D.
On paper, I guess there doesn’t seem to be much in it; especially as you say, it’s only a 6% difference in scaled size – but with terms like “fun to play”, “bright” and “responsive” being used frequently when describing them by those who’ve taken the plunge, my interest is piqued!
Can’t have too much fun in your lives, eh?
Thanks again for the responses – some things for me to think about. Any more gratefully received.
