I nearly tacked this on the end of Nick’s thread on Dixon vs. M&E, but then I thought it might get lost, so…
As a Dixon owner, I consider my flute be small holed - similar to the small hole Rudall and Rose variety even though it is of Tony’s own design. Due to the small hole size, I have a bear of a time half-holing some notes, but most cross fingerings work very well. My biggest problem is with D#, especially the low one. So, from time to time I fantasize about keys (on a polymer flute - just my preference), but I began to wonder today whether or not the M&E R&R or the Seery with their different design really need keys or not to get clear accidentals like the darned D#, etc…
For those who have owned a Dixon and an M&E R&R, how do the hole sizes compare (I don’t need measurements - just general impressions)? Can you half hole clearly for most accidentals? Cross finger? If not, what accidentals would best be served by keys?
For those who own a Seery, I know the Pratten design has much larger holes, but do the half-holed notes sound clear or are they muddy? Do cross fingerings work on Prattens, too?
This is one of those questions asked primarily out of curiousity since I have not had the opportunity to play other flute designs. The more I practice, the better I get at half-holing even on small holes and I still discover cross-fingerings that work better for me from time to time.
Well, I don’t have experience with Dixon flutes, but I do have both the M&E Rudall model and the Seery Pratten.
First, I’ve never found any flute where you can half-hole a D-sharp. I don’t think it’s possible, though I have had the Hammy almost work, just not with usable stability or tone. So for D-sharp you have to have a key.
F-natural can be half-holed on both the Seery and the M&E, although for me the M&E is easier to hit predictably even though the tone hole is smaller on the M&E.
G-sharp can be half-holed pretty well on both flutes and cross-fingered in the second octave. ( x x o | x d o ) where d means half-hole
B-flat and C-natural can be cross-fingered or half-holed, and both flutes respond very well.
B-flat first octave: ( x o x | x x o) or ( x o x | x x x )
C-natural first octave: ( o x x | o o o ) or ( o x o | x x x )
B-flat second octave ( x o x | o o o ) or ( x o x | o x o )
C-natural 2nd octave ( o x o | x x x ) or ( o x o | x x o )
I know you probably already knew these fingerings, but wanted to throw them in just in case anyone reading this doesn’t.
I’m glad to know I’m not alone having problems with D#. The best I can get on the middle D# is a veiled, acceptable 1/8th note — if I hold it any longer it is noticably just not quite right. The low D# is, for me, just not a possability, and I’ve never had the desire to try for the high D#!
I’m surprised the Seery isn’t easier than the M&E R&R for half-holing. I really do like that M&E’s sound from your clips…someday, when I go for keys, it’s the flute I’m leaning towards, especially since he’ll retrofit which might make the expense more bearable for my wife.
I’m still curious to hear from folks who own or have played both Dixon and the M&E R&R about the difference in hole sizes on these two flutes.