I just acquired a couple of new tooters and need to keep the herd small! Plus my wife will be gratified when I replace the household funds I pinched.
All have been adopted! Thank You! (Left to Right):
HOZA HAS A HOME!Mark Hoza Piccolo made of Cooktown Ironwood. I got her from Weedie before Christmas and spent most of January learning to play her. She requires a lot of control to play peacefully up high, but my embouchure is much improved for the efforts. I tried several piccolos last winter and like the tone of this one the best!
OFF to the OZARKS!Sweetheart Rosewood Folk Fife in the Key of A. Iāve had several Sweet Folk Fifes and this is one of the best. The size and proportions just feel ārightā and the tone is surprisingly deep and dark (not typical of fifes).
GONE WITH THE WIND!Skip Healy 2-piece D flute with formal attire (blackwood and silver). This is a serious session instrument. This is an older model with a corked wooden tennon, no metal in the bore. Iāve had 4 different Healys and this is good example of Skipās work (the all wood bore produces a bit darker tone). It is very easy to play in tune (for me, with the slide shut and the head rolled in till the far edge of the embouchure is inline with the toneholes), has more power than I need and a beautiful distinguished tone. The only drawback is the bottom D is not really strong and I canāt honk it. I donāt typically lean on the bottom D, so it wasnāt a problem.
HAS FLOWN AWAY!Gemeinhardt M-2 Silver Plated Boehm flute and itās original case. I bought this flute on recommendations from vastly more knowledgeable forum members. I like the tone (better than the Yamaha I had), but not the keys. I get tired of the clickety-clack and using my left thumb (which is dumb, he always forgets his place). I taped a cork on the body to make a āBoPepā to raise the flute in the crotch on my left hand; this worked well and allowed me to comfortably play with a modified piperās grip.
I see the healy has an oval embouchure,
not the more common rounded rectangle.
Anybody played these? What difference
does it make to the Healyās sound?
Whether the oval or rounded rectangle, the Healys Iāve played have all been really nice flutes. Very responsive, light to hold, and easy to finger (stretch). The oval (as in Jordanās) does give a little more tonal character, and produces a little less open tone than the RR embouchure. Personally, I favor the RR, but both are quite nice-just a little different, but having a lot of the same tonal character.
And to pick up one for the price of a Delrin flute, itās a very good deal. Skipās keyless flutes now go for $1000 new (or more), and heās not making the 2 piece anymore. Simple, elegant, and a very nice flute, and a very good price for a Blackwood flute.
PS Jordanās a good guy, and very easy to work with, if you donāt know him personally. Talk to him if youāre not sure-he doesnāt mind chatting via email like some sellers seem to once in a while.
Oh, and the Gemeinhardt-I have an M-2 too! I really like it-easy to play, and nice solid tone. Many whistles cost more than that, and they donāt have any keys!
An interesting note on the Healy - I spoke to Skip about this flute when I had it (before abandoning all wooden flutes for Delrin), and it turns out it was a one-off made for someone who wasnāt supposed to sell it (whoops!).
So if you like collectibles, besides being a good player with an easy embouchure - this one would make a unique addition to any collection.
THANK YOU !