Hi,
I’m looking for my a first flute and am considering buying a Fred Rose flute.
I had a chance to try a tipple flute and it seemed to have a nice sound to it: but what do I know, I never played a flute before. The problem was reaching the bottom note with my right hand. I followed the posts and see a conical flute will reduce the distance a little? Would the narrow bore of the Fred Rose flute have any impact on that?
Hey CatGut,
Forum member MsC is currently offering her Fred Rose flute made of Bubinga here: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=62970&start=0&sid=03c3cf9bf0c199b72478dab08fb2cec0
I think the Rose flutes are the “biggest bang for the buck” in a new wooden flute. They are very good flutes.
I can attest to the quality of the flute that MsC is offering, since I sold it to her about 2+ years ago.
I’ve also had a newer one since. They are currently made of Rosewood and now wear a cap on the top of the head. The 2nd flute was nearly identical to the first in all other respects.
The bottom hole on a D flute is always a compromise, but yes a tapered bore in the body helps. See McGee’s section on Siccama here: http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Siccama.html
Thanks for the reply Jordan. The flute for sale by MsC does looks like a good choice then. I’m assuming the task of getting a decent sound out a flute will take a while so it might as well be with a nice looking instrument like the Rose flute.
See my post below!
I have a Fred Rose flute in Honduras Mahogany. Light as a feather. Absolutely top level workmanship. Plays very well, gorgeous and lovely sound with easy top seond octave notes.
Tell Fred your issue with the low D stretch in an e-mail.
I did, he made a flute that I can play without any problem, but even he can’t go to the level of bringing the tonehole as close as to make it a no issue, you will have to put up with a bit of a stretch I think, not like a Pratten or anything but honestly after a month or so you won’t even notice it, after only a few days I did’nt.
Hi,
I have a Sweetheart flute (http://www.sweetheartflute.com) and the reach on these babies is actually quite nice. I was considering a Rose flute once, but was a bit scared by the reach on the bottom hole. Maybe someone is playing a Sweetheart flute somewhere in your neighborhood - and you can try it out? Anyway - I recommend it.
Best of luck on picking your new flute!
Best wishes,
Brian
Question:
is the reach for the bottom D greater on the Rose
than the Sweetheart. Is it some sort of special
challenge? Never seen one of these.
I haven’t played a Sweetheart flute, but the reach for the bottom D on the Rose is no problem for me and my average-sized hands.
It sounds like it just takes time to stretch the hand. I’m still on the Tipple and can play a D note if I place my finger down slowly. Not too speedy but the optimist in me says it will get better. I didn’t think this would be a problem - I have medium/large hands and can reach notes on the fiddle with my little finger. I’m just glad notes are coming out of the flute and they sound better than anything that came out of the fiddle at this stage.
Check your private messages, please.
Sorry MsC, I was going on the early warning system…and it failed! 
Didn’t know the sale fell through.
The Rose flute is still available from MsC! Good deal, go get it! 