hello all: I am considering buying a transverse flute, I play shakuhachi ( badly ) and Native American Flute. While I can’t say money is no object, unlike most of the forum archives I have read I have a pretty realistic idea of what a good keyless flute will cost. What is most important to me is ease of play, if I have to work too hard at it I don’t want to do it. Then quality of the sound and the instrument. I am 6’ 2" and have about an 8 1/2" hand span. I tend to like smaller holes in my other instruments – greater speed. What would you recommend? Doc, I’m the one who called last week about a possible trade for the Casey Burns that was sold – still have some nice NAF’s for trade…
There is a CB ergonomic standard and a nice Forbes Christie that looks interesting. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. thanks
Sounds like you have small hands (I’m same height, but about 10.25" span). So, Casey Burns would indeed be a good choice. If you think you could manage larger, easy players are Jon C. (Cochran) flutes and Olwells.
Sorry hand span should have been 9" – any more thoughts? Mark
My hand span is 9" and I haven’t had any difficulty with any of the conical flutes I’ve played/owned (Cochran, McGee, Dixon, Copley&Boegli, M&E, Burns, John Gallagher, R&R original, and probably more. I’m about 6’ and have what I would consider normal sized hands. I have played the ergonomic Burns and actually thought the holes were too close (for me). My advice would be to try a few (if possible). The only flute I’ve ever had a “stretch” problem with was my Tipple, but that was easy to remedy using a pipers’ grip on the right hand.
Pat
Maybe I should clarify, I’m not very concerned about reach,more about being able to get a sound out of the flute. For instance, regarding shakuhachi, some are much easier to get both low and high registers out of than others ( or any sound at all for that matter ). I assume with the different embouchers that flutes have, some are easier to play than others…
People say mcgee’s flutes are easy to blow. I’ve tried only one of his models (rudall perfected, normal embouchure hole) and it was easy indeed.
I’d agree with Lorenzo… My McGee flute (a keyless GLP without a tuning slide (MDT)) was the easiest to get a good sound out of when first picked up. That said, my current flute, a Copley and Boegli 4-key, is now the love of my (flute) life! I am getting the sound out of it that I’ve always wanted from a flute.
SSSOOOOO… My advice would be to buy a QUALITY flute (almost any would do) and get used to it!
Pat
Actually, I just remembered the second-most-easiest to get a good sound out of from the get-go - John Gallagher’s flutes…
Forbes Christie’s “Windward Flutes” are great - at least the one I have is… The McGee flutes come in many different flavours - I have a Grey Larsen Preferred with elliptical embouchure and it is relatively easy to play and also a great flute, though a bit quieter than the other. To be honest though, Pick any good quality flute and start to practice with it. You will learn to play the flute you’ve got - the magical flute out there which will play itself once it gets into your hands does not exist.
That said, it is extremely likely that a few years down the road, you will want to try many other flutes and will be able to judge the differences better. At this point you may well end up owning a number of flutes in succession until you find one that you particularly like. My personal search would be over if my Windward had keys…
My first real wooden flute was a Martin Doyle keyless/slideless. I loved and played it for about a year and then felt like I was plateau-ing…needed something different, better, louder…
I’ve had several Doyles come through the store in the past few years and every one has been just outstanding…all the flute I could ever want. I’ve had the same experience with several other flutes I tried and didn’t love as a novice.
I guess my point is the same as the other fellows here. Any flute by a good, reputable maker will serve you well for years and, probably, forever. After you’ve been at it for a few years you’ll be in a much better position to be flute shopping. For now, get something good and spend your time in the woodshed getting better tone rather than shopping for flutes dreaming of better tone. 
Doc
Disclaimer: Doc Jones sincerely regrets anything he may have said that may curtail or restrict the rampant and reckless purchasing of skads and skads of Irish flutes. Few things in life are more satifying than buying lots and lots of flutes and then buying lots more flutes. Our sincere apologies for any confusion Doc’s comments may have caused. We’ve adjusted his medications and he’s resting comfortably.
The simple system flute is difficult to play well. It takes dedication and patience. I would suggest not spending $1,000+ just to see if this is something you’ll stick with. Try a Tipple or Forbes delrin if you want conical or even a Folk Flute if you want wood. These are good choices to get your feet wet.
yeah…what 'e said!
Yes, it will probably take you several months to get a consistent sound out of any
flute you buy.
one more old boy…come on
Forbes rule! others drool…
which, is of course what ends up on your knee!
Any good conical keyless flute should do the trick. I agree that the flute is less a factor then the player’s commitment. I would recommend conical if you can afford it.
Best,
Deisman
I haven’t found the Forbes to be particularly absorbent…
Darn good though!
Thanks to everyone for all of the advice, one interesting thing is that expense is a matter of perspective, a " cheap " bamboo shakuhachi that will play well will usually set you back about $500 or more, most would say $500 or more! I will look into tipple, I decided not to go the CB folk route for now, but that could change. Mark
if I have to work too hard at it I don’t want to do it.
why does that raise the ire from my Methodist childhood? 
Good luck to ya. Hope you enjoy it enough to make the work pleasurable.
otta take up piano
Push the key it plays the note…what could be simpler?
And! Ya don’t have to tune it yerself
what more could ya ask for?
A bit rough, don’t ya’ think? If Mark plays the shakuhachi, he understands that flute is hard (I can’t get a sound out of those darned shakuhachi things–ain’t got no embouchure hole!).
BTW, I think getting a Burns FF is a great idea. I recommend blackwood; the other woods are too mellow, IMO, don’t have the edginess for ITM.
only if ya take it serious
naw, not even then,
piano has a whole different set of issues to learn
there’s a lot to be said for only having to play one or two tones at the same time