Can anyone give me a list of makers who are making flutes in C? I am thinking of getting a set of flat pitch C pipes and would want a C flute to have to play along with them. I’d prefer a long waiting list because money will be an issue for a while with the purchase of the pipes. Does olwell make a C. I’m interested in Boxwood, med. or sm. holes. Does Peter Noy make a C. Any one out there playing C flutes?
THanks, Patrick
Check out the wooden flute category on ebay. Looks to be a very nice one key flute in C that opens for $300. I suppose a C flute would come in handy for the fiddle tunes in F. Any maker could make you a C flute for about $1050. IMHO a B-flat would be more fun.
I’m sure Peter Noy would make you a C Flute. His variations on flutes is quite impressive. Even more, it would be an awesome flute. But why C?
I agree on the Bb, my favorite pitch. Bb pipes would be great, don’t you think?
Pat Olwell makes (or used to make) very nice bamboo low C flutes. I really like mine.
B-flat isn’t all that common on the pipes, but B natural is quite popular these days. It’s a wonderful key. B-flat chanters are a real bear to play because the finger stretch is astronomical.
That said, I too think B-flat is a more useful flute key.
Stuart
My main reason for wanting a set of C pipes is that I would like to be able to sing with them and this pitch seems suitable. This order is still way off in the future but it doesn’t hurt to think and plan. I also want a b natural, a low g chanter, a set pitched in f (I don’t think it exists) and on and on and on but one thing at a time. I also think a c flute would be handy for accompaniying all kinds of songs and though not the big difference in tone from a bflat to d would be nice to have anyway. Hamilton makes a B nat. flute that makes me salivate when I think about it.
Thanks for the info,
Patrick Dunn
I had a keyless Hamilton C flute which I thought a great well balanced flute ( actually, Hammy has it now to sell- no waiting list if you are quick!- I only played it for a couple of months and recorded a track with it on my last CD. He’s selling it for me because I’m just not using it , I hate the idea of a good instrument just sitting there! He’s making me a keyed F instead which I will use more.)
I also played a really good Wilkes C and an Olwell C ( it was a D with an optional C section), both were good but the Wilkes was my own personal favourite. I was given a bamboo Olwell C which dose’nt appeal to me much personally, but it was probably good value.
Patrick , Ronan Browne has a low G chanter which I have played that actually comes apart in the middle at a joint like a flute! It’s very quiet as the holes are tiny, and the hole spacings are a bit challenging. It’s a great chanter all the same.
Regards, Harry.
In addition to the names mentioned earlier, you might want to consider Bryan Byrne (in Chelsea, Vermont). He made a C flute prototype in blackwood a few years ago that is one of the most gorgeous-sounding instruments I’ve played, and I’m sure he’d be happy to make more flutes like it.
As Joanie Mitchell once said, “C is a happenin’ key.”
Oh my gosh, Brad has joined the forum, now you’re talking about one of the best and coolest flute players around!