Finger hole position

Irish Flute
1

All,

I, of course, am very new to flute… so: I have a 3 piece pvc flute, and my question is do the finger holes ‘need’ to be in line with the head joint hole? Right now I have the left hand turned a little one way and the right hand turned a little the other way to make sure my fingers cover the holes. I’m playing finger tip with the left, piper with the right. I only did that by accident but it feels good. Anyway, because I don’t have much of an ear with this instrument, will that effect my sound?

Thanks,
Tony

2

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Irish flute! You can feel free to move the tone/finger holes into whatever position is most comfortable for you - it won’t change the sound. What would change the sound is whether or not you’re blowing more across the embouchure hole or more into.

Do you know the maker of your flute?

Eric

3

I have a Calmont PVC. I like it and it’s pretty easy to blow. I am having a hard time playing both octaves, but other than that, no problems. Even learning Danny Boy. I think I’m having more problem with the speed of the air, is that correct? The harder I blow the higher the note. So it’s a little difficult when I have to change octaves…

Thanks,
Tony

4

It always tends to be harder to get a good tone out of the upper octave at first. With time, it really doesn’t take any more air, but it does take a more focused/tighter embouchure. It sounds like you’re off to a good start already!

Eric

5

Jayhawk!

Where at in KC are you? I just moved from there… And that’s my luck, I find a music I want to learn and I leave a good Irish place like KC…

Thanks,
Tony

6

Tony,

I live in the Waldo area (just off 77th and Ward Parkway), but we’re going to be moving soon down to the southern side of the metro - either Pleasant Hill, Belton or Grandview to get nearer to my wife’s horse and also so my son, who’ll be in kindergarten next year, can attend a school that is fully accredited and not likely to loose accredidation real soon.

Where did you live?

If you ever come back in town, we have a bi-weekly slow session, a monthly real session, and I know of several more distant sessession (Lawrence and Atchison - Atchison has sheet music available). We could get together for a tune or two - and perhaps a pint also.

I just checked over at the session website, and here is a session in your area - I’d check it out, my slow session has helped me immensely:

http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display.php/406?PHPSESSID=bdfe18b6f14b2174c9ec62478f869934

Eric

7

We used to live around 75th and Wyandotte in the Waldo area, but we just moved from near KU Med off of Rainbow.

My Wife’s Sister lives in Overland Park, so we very well may be back a few times a year.

I like it down here, but I miss KC. Funny story; my Wife and I met at O’Dowd’s because we both went to see The Elder’s there…

Later,
Tony

8

We love the KU Med area. 39th street is a fun place. My wife and I have been known to hang out at O’Dowds to hear Eddie Delahunt.

Have a good Christmas & PM me if you come back in town.

Eric