BMFW in an earlier thread mentioned his upper octave was flat enough he couldn’t blow it into tune. Well, I noticed the same thing on my newly arrived Dixon.
I was able to correct it by moving the cork a bit nearer to the embouchure hole. I know this is SOP, but many new Dixon owners are new flute plays so I wanted to pass this tip on.
I wonder if other Dixon owner have noticed this, too. Or, in my case, it could be an embouchure problem and a few months down the line I’ll notice the upper octave is now sharp.
Anyway, it’s the only “problem” I’ve noticed with my Dixon so far. I’m still enchanted with it!
I have a similar problem. Mine blows sharp all the time, in any octave. There’s nothing that I can figure out to do, so I dont know. I use good air and everything, even vibrato to make sure. I dont know what else to do!! puzzled
On 2003-02-15 11:23, piper7 wrote:
Buy a good blackwood Irish Flute.
Like a Sloan!(Sorry Piper,just couldn’t resist! ). I’can’t say that I’ve noticed any great intonation problems with my Dixon-any wayward notes are most likely down to me rather than the flute!
That’s okay Kevin, I understand. But you need to understand that I no longer will respond to moronic personal attacks. I am all business from now on.
Peace, Mercy and Compassion.
My reply was to your original comment,Piper,and is in no way meant as a criticism of Mr Sloan’s work- I’ve never tried one- besides,he’s a local lad from Northumberland! PS- Neither was it meant as a personal attack, just a ‘witticism’. Peace be unto you too!
[ This Message was edited by: kevin m. on 2003-02-15 11:45 ]
Tradgirl - I assume you have pulled the head joint a bit out to flatten the pitch? A good flute should be sharp when put together when either the tuning slide or head joint (if there is no slide) is in all the way so you can tune to others if they’re playing sharp. This is true for blackwood or polymer. Also, cork placement even on a blackwood flute will sharpen or flatten the upper octave.
All we are talking here is flute science and not personal bias when it comes to flute material or makers.
Dixons generally play in tune
through both octaves, is
my impression. If you’re new
to flutes, well, maybe this
will work it’s way out.
The suggestion about pulling
out the tenon a bit is a
good one, of course.
I only noticed the slight flatness in the upper register after I recorded and listened back and it was only very slight. I did adjust the cork and am back pretty well spot on.
I think the Dixon is a fantastic flute for the money and a great deal for beginners and experienced players alike. I agree, we should probably all aspire to a good wooden flute, but the Dixon more than holds its own in the company of more expensive flutes.
). I’can’t say that I’ve noticed any great intonation problems with my Dixon-any wayward notes are most likely down to me rather than the flute!