I am an old bugger, 58, that first picked up a tin whistle 3 years ago. Playing the whistle is now my passion. But whistle playing has led me to another want, to play the Irish Flute.
I am considering a Casey Burns Folk Flute for my first flute. Is this an appropriate first flute?
The three whistles I play are Generation C, D and F. Which finger spacing on the Casey Burns Folk Flute would be more natural for a person who plays those three whistles, small-handed or ergonomic? (I have large hands but on days they can be stiff large hands… happens with age.)
I’ve not played Casey’s folk flute, but enough folks who I respect on this board have played them and were really taken by just how good they were, so yes, I think it’s a great choice for first flute.
As to your hand issue, I’d call Casey or email him - he’s a nice guy and very responsive. If you’re worried he won’t call you back, tell him you’ve found what looks like a complete triceratops skull in your backyard and I’m guessing he’ll meet you at your front door… (Guess what his day job is?). I’m guessing the standard ergonomic would work for you, but Casey helps lots of folks figure out what will be best for them. The reach on a flute is much better than on a low whistle because of the conical bore and the way you hold a flute (to the side is just easier than in front).
I have medium hands (but a pretty decent finger spread), play a Pratten based Seery with large tone holes, have three arthritic joints in my right hand fingers and really don’t have any problems.
I started flute at 60. The CB folk flute with ergonomics,
but not a ‘small hands’ model, just the standard
ergomic one, should do fine. It’s uncommonly
easy to play.
Thanks for the info. Eventhough my whistle playing at best is intermediate, it bring joy. The flute I think will add a new dimension to to it. Too bad that I waited so long to start.
I really don’t think we could comment on hand spacing given that you play C, D and F whistles. The spacing on flute is much closer to low whistle, very close actually, although the position you hold it in makes it easier to finger like a whistle.
I’ve never tried a Burns folk model but I have a standard model on loan and it is a lovely instrument and an easy player. I can’t imagine that his folk flute would be dramatically inferior.
I play flutes and whistles. I have small hand and play Baroque flutes pitched lower than standard with in-line fingerholes, etc, and i can say that for some reason, the finger stretch is much easier on the flute than on a comparable size whistle. I think it has to do with the hand position.
Go for it, man! Casey Burns ergonomic or small hands. Great flute, very nice to hold. Even better, let him know of your concerns, he’ll work with you.
I don’t have one, but i’ve played his standard and small hands models. They’re both great flutes.
I agree that if he has concerns about stretch he should work with Casey. I have about average sized hands and, of my six flutes, all but one in D, only one causes me trouble. That is an Olwell bamboo D which I find I bit hard to play. My Olwell bamboo F is a dream to play though.
I think that if someone with average hands has trouble with a bamboo D, someone with small hands might have trouble with some conical Ds.
Just ask Mr. Burns to advise you. You cannot possibly go wrong. He’s really quite good with this.
I have an ergonomic, small-handed Rudall of his which is really comfy and lovely to play. I use a piper grip on my other flutes, but can play the right hand of the CB straight on and the left isn’t an impossible stretch. The holes are exactly where my fingers want to go.
(Guess what his day job is?). I’m guessing the standard ergonomic would work for you, but Casey helps lots of folks figure out what will be best for them. The reach on a flute is much better than on a low whistle because of the conical bore and the way you hold a flute (to the side is just easier than in front).