I was just wondering how many of you own flutes in other keys besides D. I mean, most sessions nowadays (I’ve read) are in D, and I guess sometimes in Eb; but I was just reading on another thread that it’s possible to play in the key of C on a D flute if you have keys. How often does anyone find themselves wishing for a flute of a different key?
M
I have a Rudall curly boxwood by Casey Burns with two keys in D.
I also have Olwell bamboos in D, Eb, F, G & low-C
I think different keys can be quite handy. THe bamboos are plenty good and affordable. I’d like to get an E for playing tunes in A.
My next wooden flute will be a Low-A…great for playing tunes in D that go below D for their lowest notes.
Doc
Hey M,
You can actually play in a variety keys with just a keyless D flute - you don’t need a whole bag of flutes to play tunes in keys other than D and G (and their relative minors) Since your post mentioned tunes in C, there are few that come to my mind that fit really well on a keyless D flute. For instance, the Cloon Reel off the Molloy/Peoples/Brady album is a great reel in C that is pretty easy on a D flute. Plus, you can generally cross finger or half hole to get most accidentals. There are a lot of great players out there who play keyless flutes and can hang pretty much regardless of the key signature.
hope that helps,
B
I have an unkeyed Olwell flute, and have been considering getting on the list for the keyless. That’s what has spawned this topic. I’ve been getting more and more serious about my flute playing and wonder whether or not a keyed flute will be enough in the future, or whether I should be investing in flutes of a different key.
Also, I just plainly don’t know enough about Major/Minor Keys, and Modes, and all the rest. Though I’ve been playing music for my whole life, it’s been mostly by ear, so I’m fairly illiterate when it comes to music vocabulary.
Do you have any suggestions about learning these basics?
Thanks for the replies,
M
I have an unkeyed Olwell flute, and have been considering getting on the list for the keyless.
What’s the difference between an unkeyed and a keyless?
Max
Many folks get along fine with a keyless flute forever. I can play in the key of C pretty easily with half holing and cross fingering the Cnat and Fnat. That said, I do think keys make things easier if you’re venturing out of the ITM world.
I have a 4 key (the standard short keys), and I truly love how any piece of music (I read the dots for non-ITM) is playable now…even those with 3-4 sharps or flats.
Eric
You guys are an inspiration.
I’m still struggling with the key of C
on the D flute. Plainly I must
sit down and play scales.
A C flute is nice for its own sake.
Sounds nice in a deeper and resonant
way and is almost as responsive as
a D flute. I have a lovely Cburns
boxwood.
A Bb flute–the same goes, though less
responsive.
Casey’s flutes in C and Bb are worth
checking out. Not terribly expensive either.
Oh, and I meant, “I’m thinking about getting on the keyed flute list.” Sorry.