I LOVE Doug Tipple’s D flute; I probably wouldn’t have started trying to play one if he didn’t make them. If you’re looking to try out Irish flute, get one. They’re a bargain at twice the price! I’ve run into a difficulty, though. Does one’s dexterity with the big bore improve over time? I seem to be able to manage slow airs and simple tunes at moderate speed fairly well, but I have problems with my hands cramping after a few minutes. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Stephen,
try playing for short periods of time. Also, some gentle finger stretches will also help. I feel the same way with the Tipple B nat flute I have. It is just a wee bit too much of a stretch. I can only take playing it for a few minutes at a time, but the sound is incredible.
I wear fingerless gloves. Keeping my hands warm seems to help. The least expensive option is garden gloves or nylon gloves with the fingers cut off. Bicycling gloves also fit the bill, but if a person doesn’t already have them, they are expensive for what they are.
Stephen, thanks for your comments about my low D flute. However, I am a little confused about your dexterity issue. You mention the big bore of the flute being a problem. I do know people who prefer holding a flute with a smaller outside diameter. Then again, I just saw a man who had a piece of pvc pipe attached to his Forbes low D flute to increase the diameter for left-hand comfort. There seems to be a rather wide range of preferences in this regard.
People who have difficulties with my flute usually talk about covering the larger finger holes or the finger stretches between the finger holes and not the large bore (20mm). On the Flute Finger Hole Comparison page at my website I compare the hole sizes and finger hole spread of my low D flute to other popular conical-bore wooden and polymer flutes. I think that the fingering of my flute compares favorably with the other flutes. The one difficulty in the fingering of my flutes for many people has been the spread between the 5th and 6th finger holes. Personally, I don’t find this stretch problematic by using piper’s grip for the right hand. However, for those with smaller hands or those having some difficulty with this finger stretch, I have redesigned the flute by making the 6th finger hole smaller. This compresses this stretch by 5mm, making the flute easier to finger.
Arbo’s comment about my low B flute is well taken, as the finger hole stretches are fairly challenging for average-size hands. However, I am in the process of redesigned this flute, as well. I hope to have some data of my newly designed low flutes (C, B, Bb) soon.
I think upon further reflection that I should practice regularly and see what happens. This approach worked for me with my bagpipes and guitar.
FWIW, I have been reading postings about holding the flute and especially the “death grip”, which I am familiar with, now that I think back on my earliest attempts to play my pipes.
I’ve run into a difficulty, though. Does one’s dexterity with the big bore improve over time? I seem to be able to manage slow airs and simple tunes at moderate speed fairly well, but I have problems with my hands cramping after a few minutes. Does anyone have any suggestions?
