Please give me your thoughts, comments, suggestions about buying a flute in either key D, G, or F. I know D is tradtional, but I’m a bit concerned about finger spacing. F seems like an odd key to me. I’ve heard that G is a popular choice next to D.
Your comments are appreciated.
Do you want to play Irish music on it? Like… with people? If so, you need a D. If you’re unsure of finger spacing, I’m sure some lovely makers would be more than happy to provide measurements.
The key of F is actually a very nice key, in my opinion. However, if you only have one instrument and you want to play with other people in sessions, the key of F is not your best choice.
Most flute players of simple-system flutes have several flutes in different keys. Flutes in D or G are used for playing the traditional melodies with others. Other keys, however, have their own special charm. There isn’t such a thing as a bad key. Every key is its own universe.
There are
d flutes made for people with small hands,
Casey Burns has a good one. If you tell us more
about yourself and what you wish to play,
we can give you more advice. But probably
a D flute is the best choice. It will take some
getting used to, but we all did.
Unless you have very small hands there are standard
D flutes that will suit you, and the small-hands
flute remains an option.
I have pretty small hands for a guy, and play a regular D flute. The grip (the so-called “piper’s grip”) allows me to do this. It’s an option you may want to consider, Fe2.
I don’t think the OP knows that D’s come in sizes besides those long low D’s.
Fe2, there are lots of higher frequency flutes in the key of D. The Feadog is widely available, inexpensive, easy to play and my young daughter has no trouble fingering it. It even comes with a little starter book.
Keraba, I believe that Fe2 is referring to sideblown flutes, not whistles.
Yes, thanks. Wasn’t thinking. But they come in high(er) D as well, right ?
These are typically called piccolos or fifes, but yes.
These picolos tend to be shrill and also
they are very hard to play–one’s lip
needs to be very well developed.
Probably not the place to begin. Lower
is easy to get a sound from.