Can anyone tell me what this is? It plays rather nicely, and I’m considering it. Advice?
This looks like an Old System or Pratten System flute to me.
Please see http://www.oldflutes.com/articles/oldsys.htm .
In particular notice the looped G mechanism, the free-standing B-flat key, and the touch on R1.
Very interesting flute!
If Terry McGee or some of the other makers see this, they can provide much more information.
–James
[Embarassingly incorrect speculation deleted.]
Terry McGee is the expert on this sort of thing, though. I just know what I learned from his website.
Mr. McGee?
– Don Varvel
Thanks for the info - hope more fluters chime in.
L.P. for Low Pitch (A435)? Did Kohler or Huller ever do an old-system flute?
Just to add, this has some leaks but the tone seemed good on the thoat-tones (a, b, c, c#). I managed to bash out The Bride’s Favourite, and it feels quite agile.
Mrrumph? Urk, um, hmmm, let’s see …
OK, first thing to notice is that it is cylindrical (the diameter at both ends of the long body section, and indeed the foot, are the same). So it is based on Boehm’s paracylindrical bore, like a modern metal flute.
Next thing to notice is that although it looks quite complex, it is actually no more complex than an 8-key flute. All those keys appear to be interconnected, being on the same axles, but they are not. The makers have probably chosen to key it fully to make it easier to reach and cover the holes, not to provide any further functionality.
Three of the keys are used to extend the reach - L3, R1 and R2. Note that there is no connection between the touch of R1 and the cup of R2.
Next, note that the foot is a pretty straightforward Boehm layout.
In England, these were called old-system flutes. Interesting it was made in Germany, especially considering the Germans did not rapidly warm to Boehm’s bore and large fingerholes. Probably made for export!
It has a remarkable lot in common with:
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/BallBeavon.htm,
excepting that this was a high pitch flute. It would be interesting to know the speaking length and the scale length (C# to D#) to compare it.
Terry
Thanks, Mr. McGee.
I took a tuner to it, and it was about A=438, slide in, pretty cold. I’ll take some measurements next time I’m in Victoria (Canada). What measurements should I take?
Also, I know from saxophones that adjusting pad-heights allows one to alter tone, volume, and intonation. Is this possible or advisable on a closed-hole flute?
Also, I know from saxophones that adjusting pad-heights allows one to alter tone, volume, and intonation. Is this possible or advisable on a closed-hole flute?
On the Boehm-system flute adjusting this venting is fairly critical. It effects the voicing of the entire instrument, the intonation at the upper end of the scale, and the intonation in the third octave.
I would suspect it would be just as important on this type of flute.
I have a measuring tool for the venting on the Boehm system flute, but I am thinking you may have to experiment with the venting on this flute to determine the correct pad heights.
–James